October 5, 2025 – Patrick Sweeney, 37, of Sapcote, Leicestershire, has been sentenced to 20 years and six months in prison after being convicted of multiple drug-related offences. The sentencing follows a five-year investigation led by Leicestershire Police, involving a major international law enforcement operation that dismantled the encrypted messaging platform Encrochat in 2020.
What Happened
On October 3, 2025, Patrick Sweeney was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court after being found guilty of multiple drug offences. These included his involvement in the supply and distribution of cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine, ketamine, and Valium.
The case stems from a large-scale operation launched after the Encrochat encrypted chat platform was infiltrated in 2020. Encrochat was used by criminals to plan and coordinate illegal activities across Europe. Law enforcement agencies, including the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), gained access to millions of messages and images exchanged on the platform, which became a pivotal breakthrough in fighting serious and organized crime.
The Investigation
The data obtained from the Encrochat servers, which were lawfully accessed by French authorities in April 2020, led to Leicestershire Police being able to track down key suspects involved in the drug trade. The National Crime Agency shared this critical information with local police forces, allowing Sgt Waheed Nagdi and his team to conduct detailed analysis of the messages.
Sgt. Nagdi commented: “The analysis of the data takes a lot of time and meticulous work to go through in order to identify patterns. But with the support of the investigating team and expert witnesses, we were able to identify and evidence Sweeney as a key suspect in the supply and importation of drugs.”
The investigation revealed that Sweeney was responsible for the supply of more than 10kg of cocaine, as well as cannabis, amphetamine, ketamine, and Valium, with evidence pointing to importation routes across Europe.
The Arrest and Charges
After extensive work to gather evidence, Patrick Sweeney was arrested in 2021. He faced a variety of charges, including:
- Conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine)
- Conspiracy to supply class B drugs (cannabis)
- Conspiracy to supply class C drugs (amphetamine, ketamine, and Valium)
- Conspiracy to produce amphetamine
- Possession with intent to supply amphetamine
- Acquiring criminal property
- Conspiracy to fraudulently evade a prohibition in the importation of ketamine
Despite the complex nature of the investigation, the case was brought to trial, where Sweeney was convicted and sentenced.
Official Reactions
Sgt. Waheed Nagdi, who led the investigation, praised the dedication of his team: “The investigation was complex, and even after charges were made, our work continued leading up to the trial. The trial was adjourned several times, but it was crucial that we ensured all evidence was presented to a jury to secure justice for the victims of this operation.”
The investigation is a testament to the collaborative efforts of local and international law enforcement agencies, highlighting the importance of global cooperation in tackling organized crime and drug trafficking.
What Happens Next
Sweeney’s sentencing marks a significant victory in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking in the UK and Europe. The investigation into his activities continues as authorities work to track down other suspects involved in the operation.
Sweeney will serve his prison sentence, with authorities hopeful that the case will act as a deterrent to others involved in organized crime.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
