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A self-confessed drug dealer from Northern Ireland who used encrypted communications platform EncroChat to import cannabis has been jailed.

Joseph Dornan, 45, from Ahoghill in County Antrim, pleaded guilty to a number of offences including being concerned in the supply of a Class A controlled drug, and the transfer of criminal property, earlier this year.

He had been arrested after police in France and Holland obtained EncroChat conversations.

Dornan was handed a 44-month-term at Londonderry Crown Court on Wednesday.

Dornan is one of the first to be sentenced in Northern Ireland for offences linked with EncroChat.

Police said his sentencing was “a welcome milestone”.

Dornan had been involved in an "international drug distribution network", the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said.

On Tuesday, the court in Derry was told he had committed the offences on dates in June and July of 2020.

The court heard Dornan was known by the handle Symbolic-Phone on Encrochat.

He had sent his mobile phone number and his business name to another user whose phone was hacked by investigating authorities.

Dornan also had a business van with the same phone number printed on the side of the vehicle, the court heard.

Following his arrest he admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply and to possessing criminal property, namely £20,000 and admitted offering to supply cocaine.

A prosecutor told the court the cannabis charge related to the importation of 23kg of the drug from Holland.

Dornan and two associates divided the cannabis equally among themselves and the £20,000 was Dornan's share of the cannabis transaction, the court heard.

An aggravating factor in the case, the prosecutor said, was Dornan’s previous 2005 conviction for his part in smuggling 61kg of cannabis resin and 41kg of herbal cannabis from Holland.

He said in the present case it was accepted Dornan is "a person who is supplying smaller retailers for commercial profit.”

A defence barrister told the court Dornan got involved in the offending following the collapse of his business.

He had made a “very foolish decision,” the barrister said, adding Dornan "is terrified of going into custody.

The barrister added: “He has now paid the price."

Sentencing, judge Rafferty said Dornan's previous drugs offending and his use of an Encrochat phone were aggravating factors.

"I appreciate imprisonment has an impact on the broader family but there are mothers and fathers who watch the health of their children decline through drugs misuse,” he said.

The PSNI Det Insp McCamley said an extensive examination of message on the encrypted phone network had “revealed the defendant’s involvement in an international drug distribution network”.

"This is a welcome milestone, and a reflection of our ongoing commitment to bring those involved in criminal activity to justice,” the officer said.

Police said the investigation and subsequent sentencing stems from Operation Venetic - the UK response to taking down EncroChat.