An EncroChat user known as “Big Sh**ger” smuggled illegal cigarettes into the UK hidden inside a shipment of pasta. Paul Wilson and his older brother Peter used the encrypted communications platform to traffic millions of pounds of drugs and illicit tobacco products.

The latter’s wife now says her husband has “let her down again” as he faces the prospect of another lengthy spell in prison. A third man, Andrew Brennan, meanwhile illegally sourced more than £5million of cigarettes, including “very good copies” of Mayfair and Chesterfield cigarettes from Greece and Belgium.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Brennan was involved in the trafficking of £5,203,993 of illegal cigarettes and £187,000 of cocaine while utilising the handle “Special Mask”. Peter Wilson, who went by the pseudonym “Lesser Park”, was meanwhile involved in discussions regarding £1,200,753.82 of tobacco products, £675,000 of cocaine and £7,000 of amphetamine, with Paul Wilson, the user of the account “Big Sh**ger”, being connected to the supply of £2,721,729.35 of cigarettes, £375,000 of cocaine and 1,000 ecstasy tablets.