Doncaster drug dealer who used secret messaging system to buy heroin and cocaine jailed

John Coucum, 38, is now serving time behind bars after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and possessing criminal property.

Sheffield Crown Court heard how Coucum used the handle 'Scantscorpion' on the encrypted communications and messaging platform Encrochat to purchase large amounts of Class A drugs over a one-month spell in 2020.

Coucum sent an image which contained a lump of compressed white powder, with detectives identifying him through encrypted data on his mobile phone device.

An investigation into Coucum's activities spanned several months and on 7 April 2021, officers were able to execute a warrant at his home in Wheatley under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Inside, they found huge sums of cash totalling £17,980, with forensics examination concluding that the money was most likely linked to drug-related activity.

Coucum was arrested and brought into custody before being charged with possession of a criminal property, conspiracy to supply heroin and conspiracy to supply cocaine.

He admitted all the offences at Sheffield Crown Court and last Tuesday (23 January), Coucum, of Racecourse Road, Swinton, was jailed for a total of eight-and-a-half years.

The investigation into Coucum's drug dealing formed part of Operation Venetic - a National Crime Agency-led investigation into the UK dismantlement of the encrypted communications platform, Encrochat.

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Bright said: "This was a lengthy and complex investigation spanning a significant length of time and involving many officers and staff.

"Criminals like Coucum thought they were above the law and untraceable through Encrochat, but through Op Venetic, that platform has since been infiltrated.

"Drugs have a detrimental and devastating impact on our local communities and we will not allow dealers to profit from other people's misery.

"We hope the people of South Yorkshire will share our relief in knowing Coucum is behind bars for a lengthy spell and we hope his sentence sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate drug dealers in our county."