A man has been jailed for 21 years for supplying an estimated £936,000 worth of cocaine to West London, after Met Police investigation dismantled an operation.

Sam Coleman, 33, Isleworth was sentenced to 21 years' imprisonment on Thursday 24 August at Kingston Crown Court.

DC Andy Chapman, from Operations Eternal in Specialist Crime, said: "Coleman arranged large-scale drug deals with his ultimate aim being to make as much money as possible, with no thought of the misery and devastation caused in communities by drug supply, and the violence it leads to."

Between March and June 2020, the man was determined to obtain firearms and ammunition to protect his drugs business.

He was also involved in the supply of cocaine with an estimated street value of £936,000, as well as the conspiracy to supply more than 26kgs of cocaine.

DC Chapman added: "He thought that Encrochat gave him anonymity and the freedom to openly arrange serious crimes, and shielded him from law enforcement. However, multiple teams across the Met have worked for several years to identify Coleman, and build what was a rock-solid case against him.

On 23 February 2021, officers from Central Specialist Crime's Op Eternal team carried out a search warrant at Coleman's address and car. They seized cocaine, a knife, watches and £36,325 in cash.

Coleman was arrested at his home address and charged.

Following a trial he was found guilty of:

• Conspiracy to supply a Class A drugs;
• Conspiracy to transfer criminal property;
• Conspiracy to possess prohibited weapons;
• Conspiracy to possess ammunition;
• Possessing a controlled drug of Class A with intent;
• Possessing criminal property.

Police discovered cash at Coleman's house. (Photo: Met Police)

European partners provided, via the NCA, data to the Metropolitan Police around the Encrochat system in 2020.*

On receiving data relating to those using the devices in London, the Met launched an operation named "Operation Eternal" to target Encrochat users believed to be operating from the capital.

Specialist Crime officers and staff from Met Intelligence were able to review data and were able to attribute the owner of the 'Lousybrandy' handle as Sam Coleman. They began investigating the Encrochat handle in late 2020.

This handle was viewed and prioritised not only because it was involved in the onward supply of large amounts of cocaine but also firearms.

Coleman had obtained the drugs from another Encrochat handle, who was working as part of an organised crime network, with access to large amounts of cocaine.

'Lousybrandy' had facilitated the supply of these drugs to others via another Encrochat handle. There had also been significant discussion by 'Lousybrandy' in relation to the obtaining of firearms and ammunition.

There was compelling evidence which led officers to link Coleman to the handle 'Lousybrandy'.

Officers from the Met's Cyber Crime team analysed Coleman's phone and discovered images of kilogram blocks of cocaine, large amounts of cash, and a large amount of cannabis.

Within Coleman's search history there was also evidence of a conversation in which he had planned to buy cocaine purity test kits.

DC Chapman said: "Op Eternal investigations over the last three years have resulted in the Met identifying and jailing major players in the criminal fraternity, and stemming the flow of drugs and guns onto the streets.

"The drugs trade relies upon exploitation and violence to operate and we will continue to relentlessly pursue those involved, and put them before the courts."

*Encrochat is Europe-based communications network and service provider that offered encrypted communication. It ceased operations in 2020 after the company realised it had been compromised.