Mersey Reporter - #Merseybites #News

2 Merseyside men have been have been jailed for a total of 29 years for their part in the supply of large quantities of Class A and B drugs.

Joseph Toole, 55, of Aysgarth Avenue, West Derby and Lawrence Hill, 52, of Longmeadow Road, Knowsley Village were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court, on:- Monday, 22 September 2025, after pleading guilty to conspiring to supply Class A drugs (Cocaine and Heroin) and Class B drugs (Cannabis).

Their arrests were part of Merseyside Police's response to Operation Venetic - an international operation targeting criminals who used the Encrochat mobile encryption service in an attempt to evade detection.

Toole used the Encrochat handle:- 'SUMMERHILL NEW' between:- December 2019 and July 2020 and he was linked to supplying/conspiring to supply 374kg of Class A drugs, namely 249 kg of cocaine and 125kg of heroin, along with 441kg of cannabis. Toole was arrested in March 2025 at his home address.

Toole was identified having discussed his own birthday along with that of his children, he also provided details of the passing of a relative and the subsequent funeral. He was sentenced to 16 years.

Hill used the Encrochat handle:- ‘FROSTY-HAND’ and worked in a role delivering drugs under the instruction of Toole between:- December 2019 and July 2020. He was evidenced conspiring to supply of 373kg of Class A drugs, namely 262kg’s of Cocaine and 111kg of Heroin. He was arrested at his home address on the same day as his co-defendant, Toole.

Hill was identified having discussed the name of his child and partner along with providing details of her birthday.

Hill was sentenced to 13 years.

Detective Sergeant Craig Doyle said:- "Our work continues under Operation Venetic to detect and arrest those involved in the sale and distribution of Class A and B drugs. We are committed to pro-actively investigating serious organised crime and we remain relentless in pursuing offenders. Our work to prevent criminals from targeting the vulnerable people in our communities with illicit drugs goes on and we would always encourage members of the public to contact us if they have any information which could assist with our enquiries."

Anyone who has information about drug dealing in the community can contact Merseyside Police by them a sending a DM to:- @MerPolCC, calling:- 101 or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800555111.