Panicking Glasgow gangsters launched phones into River Clyde when cops hacked into messages
PANICKING gangsters tossed their mobiles into the River Clyde when they discovered elite crimebusters had cracked a top secret phone network.
Sources revealed the stunning EncroChat hack sent shockwaves through the underworld — sparking a frantic scramble to dump evidence.
Scots cops launched raids on the back of the international operation which saw authorities here seize £25million of drugs — and hoods are now running scared.
One insider said: “Word got out quickly that people were being hit by police.
“Over the next few days doors were getting put in by cops and motors packed with drugs pulled over.
“No one could understand how they suddenly knew so much about everyone’s business. Then a message was sent out saying EncroChat had been compromised and it all made sense.
“Everyone couldn’t get rid of their phones quick enough. They were smashing them up and some went in the Clyde.
“There’s a lot of very nervous guys right now, and some have gone to ground. People are seriously worried they are next to get lifted.
“A lot of drugs have been taken out the game and someone will need to pay.”
We told how criminals used the encrypted network to discuss drug deals and hits, thinking it was secure.
But cops infiltrated the platform and trawled 25million texts in the probe codenamed Operation Venetic.
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Dozens of guns, £54million in cash and two tonnes of drugs were netted over three months of UK raids starting in April which saw 746 arrests — adding to more than 800 across Europe.
And three intelligence-led swoops on motors in Scotland led to a string of arrests in May, with £16million of cocaine seized.
rebecca.gray@the-sun.co.uk
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