Drug dealing duo jailed for almost 20 years

By Rick Lyon

Two men who were part of an organised crime group that used an online instant messaging service to distribute an estimated £4.1million worth of cocaine into Hull and the surrounding area have been jailed for a total of nearly 20 years.

Richard Batty, 38, of Church Lane, Withernwick, East Yorkshire, and Robert Gervis, 59, of Hadfield Street, Northwich, Cheshire, both pleaded guilty at an earlier court hearing to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, namely cocaine, between April and August 2020.

Both men appeared at Hull Crown Court today, where Batty was sentenced to 12 years in prison and Gervis to seven-and-a-half years.

The investigation began following the National Crime Agency-led Operation Venetic, in which international law enforcement collaborated to target organised crime groups using the encrypted online instant messaging service Encrochat.

The operation resulted in 746 arrests, £54million recovered, 77 firearms confiscated and over two tonnes of drugs seized. It also sparked the subsequent investigation by Humberside Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit into a specific group distributing drugs in the force area.

Over a nine-week period, using the encrypted online chat service, Gervis acted as a trusted courier to deliver drugs to Batty in East Yorkshire.

This resulted in 41 kilograms of cocaine, with a street value of approximately 4.1million, being brought into the force area.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Clough said: “On one particular occasion in June 2020, Batty received images of five 1 kilogram blocks of cocaine with the designer brand Prada and GVY imprinted on them, and a price offered of £37,500.

“Gervis acted as the courier and transported the cocaine to a location near to New Ellerby to meet Batty. However, on this occasion, Batty was seemingly not happy with the quality and refused the deal.

“Gervis left with the drugs, which at the time had a street value of around £500,000, to head back to Manchester but was stopped and arrested by traffic officers on the M62 near Goole as part of the investigation.”

As the investigation continued, Batty was arrested in August 2020 for his involvement. Following his arrest, a 10-tonne hydraulic press used for pressing cocaine was recovered from his address.

A Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation will now take place in relation to a number of high value assets seized from Batty to remove the benefits of his drug dealing.

DCI Clough added: “Investigating and tackling serious and organised crime remains a priority for us and I’m really pleased this duo are now being punished for their crimes.

“This was a lengthy and complex investigation and by stopping this gang’s activities we have prevented significant amounts of drugs from being sold on the streets in our force area.

“I would like to thank all the people who contacted us with information about drug dealing and drug related crime in their areas, as this assists in building a bigger picture and putting a strong case before the courts.

“The investigation and disruption of the criminality involved in using Encrochat was vast, and I’d also like to thank our colleagues at the National Crime Agency and the Regional and Organised Crime Unit for assisting us with lines of enquiry as a part of our investigation.

“I hope this sends a very clear message to those involved in drug related crime, whether they be in our area or not, that it will not be tolerated and we will continue to do everything we can to make our communities a much safer place to live.”

Anyone with any concerns about activity in their area can call into their nearest police station or ring the non-emergency 101 line.

Crimestoppers can also be called on 0800 555111.