A Merseyside drug trafficker who made millions through the supply of heroin, cocaine and cannabis has been jailed after voluntarily returning to the UK from Dubai, fully aware he would be arrested upon arrival.
James Hitchmough, 35, flew back into the country after years on the run, telling the court he could no longer live as a fugitive. His return marked the end of a sprawling criminal enterprise that prosecutors described as a daily operation embedded across the region.
The investigation into James Hitchmough, 35 years, of Kingsway, Roby was part of Operation Aquarium, Merseyside Police’s response to Operation Venetic
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Hitchmough, of Kingsway in Huyton, played a leading role in a sophisticated drugs network exposed following the infiltration of the EncroChat encrypted messaging platform by French authorities in 2020.
Operating under the aliases “Brutal Whale” and “Roll Play”, Hitchmough used EncroChat to coordinate large-scale drug deals and money movements. Messages recovered from the platform revealed his involvement in arranging the distribution of vast quantities of narcotics, including over 64 kilograms of cocaine, 37 kilograms of heroin, and 33 kilograms of cannabis.
He was also linked to the transfer of approximately £2.48 million in criminal proceeds, money which prosecutors said was funnelled into overseas property investments and luxury items.
The court was told that Hitchmough maintained close ties with other high-level offenders, forming part of what was described as an “established criminal business” operating relentlessly across Merseyside.
Beyond arranging drug deals, Hitchmough played a central role in the logistics of the operation. He advised associates on how to transport drugs covertly and helped organise vehicles fitted with hidden compartments designed to evade detection at borders.
Prosecutor Holly Menary outlined how he facilitated the creation of concealed storage spaces in vehicles used to move drugs internationally. With access to significant sums of cash, he also assisted others in purchasing property abroad and was found to possess high-value luxury goods.
Despite successfully evading capture for several years, Hitchmough ultimately chose to come back to the UK. His defence told the court he had grown weary of life on the run and returned knowing imprisonment was inevitable.
He had been living in the United Arab Emirates, beyond the immediate reach of UK authorities. However, his legal team stated he did not want to remain abroad indefinitely, waiting for what he believed would be an eventual arrest.
The court heard he has the support of his parents but has acknowledged the damage his crimes have caused to his family, with significant effort required to rebuild their trust.
Hitchmough’s criminal record includes previous convictions for drug offences as well as serious violent crimes, including wounding and kidnapping. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs, along with transferring criminal property.
Appearing via video link from HMP Liverpool, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
Sentencing, Judge Garrett Byrne described the operation as large-scale, sophisticated and highly active, with Hitchmough playing a central role. The judge noted that the network operated continuously across Merseyside, driven by significant financial gain, and involved the movement of large sums of money across international borders. He added that individuals involved in such organised criminality should expect substantial prison sentences.
In an ironic twist, part of the evidence linking Hitchmough to the EncroChat network came from an image he shared of himself holding a packet of Walkers Sensations crisps. Investigators were able to match fingerprints visible in the photograph to his own.
Further clues emerged from messages in which associates referred to him as “Jim” and “Jimmy”, alongside details of personal activities, including a fishing trip he had paid for.
Hitchmough was arrested at Manchester Airport on October 27 last year after landing on a flight from Dubai.
Following sentencing, Detective Sergeant Craig Doyle said Hitchmough had played a major role in a significant drug trafficking conspiracy, adding that his use of encrypted communications ultimately failed to shield him from justice.
Police also confirmed that proceedings are underway to seize assets obtained through criminal activity under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Officers reiterated the wider impact of drug trafficking, highlighting the harm inflicted on vulnerable individuals and communities. They warned that those who profit from the trade may accumulate wealth, but ultimately face severe consequences, including lengthy prison sentences.
