An EncroChat drug dealer embedded in the international underworld was locked up after his latest exploits were exposed.
Michael Hailwood operated under the codename CardinalTrunk as he sought to peddle huge quantities of cocaine.
His exploits were brought to an end after a police sting that revealed his links to a network of more than two dozen drugs suppliers, couriers and street runners.
READ MORE: Raids pierce heart of gangland as heroin worth millions seized in week of strikes
Hailwood - who boasted connections from Europe to South America - offered his global contact list as a way to regain a foothold within the North West gangland after he was released from a jail sentence for drug offences in 2019.
Shortly after being freed he returned to dealing in illicit substances, largely plotting his moves through the protected communications network EncroChat.
When a joint French and Dutch investigation crippled that network in April 2020, Hailwood was one of hundreds of users linked to Merseyside whose messages were obtained by detectives.
The 51-year-old was identified as the man behind the ‘handle’ - or username - CardinalTrunk and linked to conversations that discussed the supply of cocaine and a trading network that stretched to Scotland and Hull.
He was arrested as part of a massive strike day by Cheshire Police and questioned as part of the force’s landmark probe Operation Olympia.
Hailwood, once based in Amsterdam and previously of Cherry Tree Road in Huyton, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine.
He was sentenced to 16 years in jail at Chester Crown Court.
Following the hearing, Detective Sergeant Ian Watson, of Cheshire Police, said: “This is a case that sends the message to criminals that they should not feel safe when they operate in Cheshire.
“Whatever level you operate at - be it street level, middle ranking or top tier, at some point you are going to come to our attention and we will, where warranted, focus our attention on you and take you out. This is exactly what we have done with Michael Hailwood.”
*An earlier version of this article reported Hailwood was sentenced for conspiracies to supply heroin and cocaine. Hailwood was only sentenced for conspiracy to supply cocaine.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
