National Crime Agency (NCA)

🎧 Have you listened to the latest episode of the British Esports podcast yet? One of our regional Cyber Choices teams met up with British Esports to discuss what is legal and illegal online, and what the consequences may be if you cross that line.

A man from Northern Ireland has been charged with drugs offences after £325,000 worth of cannabis was seized at Belfast Port. William James Mervyn Stewart, 42, of Dunrod Road, Crumlin, was arrested by NCA officers after he was stopped at the port on Friday morning. Stewart was interviewed by NCA officers and later charged with possession with intent to supply class B drugs. He appeared at Laganside Magistrates Court this morning and was remanded in custody until his next hearing on 5 November. The NCA and Border Force are committed to preventing drugs from reaching the streets of Northern Ireland, where they would be sold and the money used to fund further criminality and fuel exploitation. FULL STORY ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eiq_rgTt

⚠Do you need fraud compensation? Don’t fall for scams Authorised Push Payment fraud is when someone tricks you into sending them money, often pretending to be offering you something, from an institution (like your bank), or even a family member. The rules have changed so banks are now required to compensate victims of APP fraud. The compensation process is free to access through your bank. Fraudsters will try to convince people, including their own victims, to send them money or share personal bank details to make a claim on their behalf. You do not need to pay a fee as this is a free service from your bank. If you are contacted by someone to arrange a refund for you, hang up and contact your bank using the number on their official website.

Five members of an organised crime group that smuggled 2.3 tonnes of cocaine in a shipment of bananas from south America have been convicted. Petko Zhutev, Gjergji Diko, Bruno Kuci, Olsi Ebeja and Erik Muci were investigated by the Organised Crime Partnership (OCP) – a joint NCA and Metropolitan Police unit – who identified they were planning the importation. They were arrested by OCP officers, supported by an armed MPS unit, at an industrial estate in Tottenham, north London, in February 2021, after receiving 41 pallets of bananas into which the cocaine had been loaded. The drugs had different branded stamps on them, which corresponded to particular organised crime groups that were going to sell them on the streets of London and the wider UK. These men attempted to bring a huge amount of cocaine into the country - one of the largest hauls of its kind on UK soil – which was destined for crime groups across London and the wider UK, and the seizure stemmed from a thorough investigation by NCA and Met Police officers. Read the full story ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e58ueUyn

On World Mental Health Day 💜 the NCA is offering support for our officers on four wheels – in the form of our wellbeing van, Oscar Kilo. Run by our Occupational Health and Wellbeing team and supported by our Mental Health First Aider Network, the van will be visiting our offices next week to provide a safe space for officers should they need support. From mental or physical health, finances, advice about work/life balance or anything else – the van offers officers the opportunity for officers to pop in and make use the resources and experts available to support them in whatever way they need.

Two criminals who sold Class A drugs and firearms have been jailed following a National Crime Agency investigation. Mark Nolan and Darren Herlihy operated on the encrypted communications platform EncroChat before it was taken down in 2020. Nolan, who used the handles ‘RobustBronze’ and ‘MasterCastle’ was sentenced to 20 years. Herlihy, who used the handle ‘JerryCoke’ was jailed for 12 years. Nolan admitted conspiracy to transfer prohibited weapons and conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin and cannabis. Herlihy admitted conspiracy to transfer prohibited weapons and conspiracy to supply heroin and cannabis. The NCA works with partners at home and abroad to protect the public from the threats of drugs and firearms, and we will continue to do everything possible to fulfil our mission. Read the full story ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eCs4mWXb

Six men have been arrested over a half-tonne haul of cocaine worth £40m seized on a West Sussex beach. The men were arrested in locations across England in a NCA investigation, including a 39-year-old who was arrested today at Luton Airport. On 19 August this year officers recovered a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) at Medmerry Beach in West Sussex. It contained 500kg of cocaine. This week’s arrests take the total arrested in connection to the cocaine importation to 12. All have been released on bail. Read the full story ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eBVWkFG9

The scale and complexity of child sexual abuse is increasing. The hidden nature of abuse means it's hard to detect and under-reported, so recorded crime figures do not reflect the true scale. Working with our partners, we're arresting around 800 offenders each month and safeguarding 1,200 young people. The NCA is engaging with social media companies and investing in technology to overcome the challenges, to continue to protect children around the world, identify and bring offenders to justice. Find out more in the NSA 2024 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/emgsXdx9

⚠️ Beware of 'job adverts' asking you to transfer money: this is how criminals trick people into laundering their illicit cash.   Money muling is illegal. Watch the NCA's Rachael Herbert talk about it on BBC Crimewatch.   If you're asked to move money for someone you don't know, report it to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.   Find out more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eukywmpV  

National Crime Agency officers are appealing for information to trace a man convicted in his absence of importing firearms. Polish national Rafal Wojciech Habiak, age 40, should have appeared to stand trial at Canterbury Crown Court in August, but failed to attend. He was eventually convicted in his absence after the judge ruled the trial should continue. Habiak was initially arrested in 2018, after Border Force officers at Dover recovered a handgun and ammunition hidden under the floor of a Mercedes car, and a rucksack containing ten cartridges of CS gas. After being interviewed by NCA officers he was charged and pleaded guilty to importation offences, for which he was jailed for five years. While he was still serving his sentence NCA investigators received further information from a download of material on his phone, suggesting more weapons might be still concealed in the vehicle, which had been seized following his arrest. One message to Habiak read “You will need to dismantle the car a bit to get one”. As a result further searches were carried out and an Ekol pistol containing five live rounds, a flare pistol, and additional rounds of ammunition were found. Habiak, who was released from prison in January 2021 was additionally charged with conspiring to import firearms alongside the man who had sent him that message Marcin Matwijow, age 44, from Liverpool. Both men were bailed pending court proceedings. Gun smuggling is an extremely serious offence, and we are determined to do all we can to ensure Habiak is tracked down and serves his full sentence. Anyone with information can call the NCA directly on 0370 496 7622, or contact Crimestoppers Trust anonymously online or by phone on 0800 555 111. Full story ➡️ https://lnkd.in/etdd6xTd