By Samantha Jones-
Peter Cordwell,(pictured) a 49-year-old enforcer and debt collector, has been sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison for his role in the supply of cocaine and amphetamine.
Cordwell, standing at an imposing 6ft 4in, was well-known in criminal circles for his violent tactics, but it was his digital footprint that led to his downfall.
Living in luxury within a posh gated community on Hazel Lane in Ilford, Cordwell had taken extensive measures to secure his residence, fitting it with a range of specialist security features.
However, the National Crime Agency (NCA) managed to crack through these physical barriers by uncovering incriminating messages sent by Cordwell under the pseudonym ‘Mightyjedi’ on the encrypted platform EncroChat.
The encrypted messages, obtained by NCA officers, exposed Cordwell’s involvement in the supply of staggering quantities of drugs between November 2019 and August 2020.
A total of 90 kilos of amphetamine and 32 kilos of cocaine, with an estimated street value of £2.5 million, were traced back to Cordwell’s criminal operations.
The messages provided a chilling glimpse into Cordwell’s criminal enterprise. In one exchange, he casually discussed collecting £112,000 from a customer for the “last 4 tops,” referring to four kilos of cocaine.
Another message boasted of supplying cocaine at an alarming purity level exceeding 80%. These revelations not only underscore the magnitude of his criminal activities but also the audacity with which he conducted them.
Cordwell, perhaps realizing the insurmountable evidence against him, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and amphetamine.
His criminal history, including convictions for assault in 1998 and battery in 2018, added weight to the case against him, painting a picture of a hardened criminal with a propensity for violence.
The NCA’s Operation Dismantle didn’t stop with Cordwell. Three key members of his organized crime group were also brought to justice. Warren Smith, 40, admitted to conspiring to import cocaine and was sentenced to 13 years and five months.
Smith was also involved in the supply of 58 kilos of cocaine and around 200 kilos of cannabis.
Mustafa Ismail, 44, received a sentence of 14 years and five months for conspiring to import a staggering 272kg of cannabis and being concerned in the supply of 27kg of cocaine, along with 25kg and 10,000 tablets of MDMA.
Matthew Roberts, 47, admitted to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession with intent to supply cannabis, resulting in a nine-year sentence.
NCA Operations Manager Dean Wallbank emphasized the impact of dismantling Cordwell’s crime group, stating, “By dismantling Cordwell’s crime group, we have put an end to the harm it was bringing to UK streets.
These men were supplying substantial quantities of Class A drugs across Essex, and further afield as far as Cornwall. As well as organizing drug deals, Cordwell was known as a feared criminal enforcer in Essex.”
The unraveling of Cordwell’s criminal empire serves as a stark reminder of the evolving tactics employed by law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime.
The reliance on encrypted platforms proved to be a double-edged sword for Cordwell, as his digital communications became the linchpin in the case against him.
This modern-day example highlights the role technology plays in the fight against crime and raises questions about the security of such encrypted platforms in the face of determined law enforcement efforts.