The leader of a major organised crime group has been jailed after spending nearly five years on the run.
Max Matthews, 31, of Albion Drive, London, oversaw the trafficking of large volumes of cocaine, heroin, and cannabis across west Essex and London between March and July 2020 before fleeing the UK to evade arrest in July 2021.
He was eventually tracked down in Dubai and extradited to the UK in February this year.
On August 6, he was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply drugs and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Detective Inspector Frazer Low, of Essex Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: "This investigation exposed an organised crime group operating on an industrial scale, trafficking significant quantities of cocaine, heroin and cannabis while moving millions of pounds in criminal proceeds.
"The evidence recovered through EncroChat gave us an unprecedented insight into the group's activities and Matthews' leading role within it.
"Even after he absconded and left the country, our investigation continued.
"His extradition, guilty pleas and sentence are the culmination of years of work by officers and partner agencies, and a clear reminder that organised criminals cannot simply evade justice by fleeing overseas.
"We will continue to pursue those responsible for serious organised crime wherever the evidence leads and ensure they are brought before the courts."
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Matthews sat at the top of a criminal network that trafficked 74kg of cocaine, 12.5kg of heroin, 50kg of cannabis, and laundered more than £5 million in cash.
The operation was uncovered through Operation Venetic, the UK’s response to the infiltration of EncroChat—an encrypted messaging service used by criminals to coordinate serious criminal activity.
Information from international law enforcement partners helped identify several members of Matthews’ group through their EncroChat aliases.
Matthews operated under the handles 'Kingspainard' and 'Encrogeezer'.
Seven members of the group have already been jailed for a combined total of more than 40 years.
Police uncovered extensive evidence, including images of drugs and records detailing the movement of large quantities of drugs and cash.
Matthews kept detailed ledgers and was responsible for purchasing multi-kilo amounts of Class A and Class B drugs.
The group moved hundreds of thousands of pounds in cash every week.
The investigation also revealed the violent nature of the operation.
On one occasion, Matthews offered £20,000 to have a person assaulted.
Despite fleeing abroad, Matthews eventually admitted his role in the conspiracy after being returned to the UK.
His conviction follows the earlier sentencing of his second-in-command, Henry Allpress, who was jailed for 13 years in 2023.
Allpress, who used the EncroChat handle 'Comebackking', helped direct drug deliveries, collections, and purchases, as well as launder criminal profits.
He was traced to Spain by officers working with the National Crime Agency, his return to the UK was secured, and he was convicted of conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs and money laundering offences.
The case highlights the value of international cooperation, advanced technology, and persistent investigative work in tackling organised crime.
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