ENCROCHAT FUGITIVE: Clinton Blakey wanted by NCA after no show at court over firearms charges

A MAN charged by the National Crime Agency (NCA) with firearms offences following the Encrochat hack investigation has gone on the run.

Clinton Blakey, 35, of Dunstarn Drive, Leeds, was due to appear at Leeds Magistrates’ court today, October 29, after being charged with offences relating to the supply of firearms in the Yorkshire and Merseyside areas.

Blakey is also wanted for breaching prison licence conditions and a warrant has been issued for his recall to prison. The NCA is appealing for information to help trace him.

NCA Operations Manager, Nigel Coles, said: “Clinton Blakey is suspected of being involved in the illegal supply of firearms is now trying to evade justice. We need your help to find him, so if you know where he is, or have any information that might help us catch him please get in touch as a matter of urgency.”

He is known to have connections in the Merseyside and Yorkshire areas, specifically central Leeds.

Essex News and Investigations has asked the NCA why Blakey was not sent to magistrates court in custody straight after being charged and why he was able to flee and awaits a response.

He was charged as part of Operation Venetic – the UK investigation into the EncroChat encrypted messaging platform.

This spring Dutch and French investigators broke through the encryption of the supposedly secure Encrochat encrypted phone communication platform which was being used by around 60,000 criminals worldwide and about 10,000 in the UK.

They allowed police forces across Europe, including in the UK, access to real time messaging between organised crime groups.

It led to hundreds of raids, arrests and seizures of drugs, cash and firearms, with more than 1,000 people arrested and hundreds of charges.

Anyone with information on Blakey’s whereabouts should contact the National Crime Agency on 0370 496 7622 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.