Drug Dealer’s Luxury Life Exposed
Richard Weild, 39, from Wallasey, Merseyside, was caught running a slick cocaine operation. He stamped “brand” labels on multi-kilo blocks to bulk out deals.
Weild’s flashy lifestyle included a clothes and watch collection worth at least £70,000. He used the encrypted EncroChat platform under the name “Blacklable” to coordinate the criminal network.
Kingpin Behind Huge Drug Network
With over 50 contacts, some overseas, Weild supplied crime groups across the North West, as far as Plymouth and beyond. His messages revealed lockdown smuggling tactics — gangs disguised drugs in Highways Maintenance and removals trucks to dodge restrictions.
After EncroChat was cracked in 2020, the National Crime Agency launched Operation Venetic, hitting organised crime groups hard.
Massive Haul of Drugs and Cash Moves
- At least 14.75 kilos of cocaine
- 2 kilos of heroin
- 41.5 kilos of cannabis
- £800,000 in cash couriered across the UK
- Other drugs including 3,171 2-CB tablets, 35.4g MDMA, cannabis resin, plus 22 kilos of cocaine adulterants
Weild also owned the Gas Works Motor Company, a front used to stash drugs. Authorities seized 13 cars from the business.
Guilty Plea After Court Drama
Weild pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court in January 2022 to conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin, MDMA, 2-CB, cannabis, and transferring criminal property.
His co-defendant, Morris, was jailed for 10 years after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine, MDMA, 2-CB, and possession with intent to supply cannabis.
A sentencing circus followed as Weild repeatedly sacked barristers. Earlier this year, after initially changing his plea to not guilty, he reversed that decision again.
Weild was “leading the good life at the expense of others” with his “trade of misery and destruction”.
This conviction is a big win in the fight against serious firearms and drug crime in the UK.
