A wanted drug supplier who spent years on the run in Spain told arresting officers he was 'going to hand myself in next week' as his freedom finally came to an end in Manchester.
The Encrochat Investigation That Exposed a Drug Network
Sean Farrell, identified as a key supplier of class A and B drugs, saw his criminal enterprise unravel during a National Crime Agency (NCA) led operation that compromised the encrypted communication system Encrochat. Used by organised criminal networks to conceal their activities, the system allocated each user a 'handle' to hide their true identity.
In 2020, law enforcement agencies across Europe collaborated to dismantle the network and identify its users. Farrell, who operated under the alias 'VanillaJerky', was exposed as a significant drug supplier between March and June 2020.
Evidence from encrypted messages revealed Farrell had negotiated multiple deals, including cocaine offered at prices up to £39,500 per kilogram. The 52-year-old made approximately £3,000 profit per transaction from his illicit activities.
International Escape Attempt Foiled
Farrell's criminal ambitions extended beyond local supply, with plans to import cannabis from overseas for distribution across the United Kingdom. He also arranged cash collections, including one for £5,500.
When officers executed warrants in January 2022, Farrell vanished, fleeing to Spain in an attempt to evade arrest and prosecution. He remained at large for more than two years, believing he could escape justice by staying overseas.
The Arrest That Ended Years on the Run
His luck ran out on September 2, 2024, when officers from Greater Manchester Police stopped a Mercedes C Class with Spanish plates on Stretford Road in Old Trafford.
Although the passenger provided false details during questioning, police checks confirmed his identity as the wanted man. Farrell was subsequently arrested and charged with multiple offences including:
- Conspiracy to supply class A drugs
- Conspiracy to supply class B drugs
- Conspiracy to import cannabis
- Money laundering
At Manchester Crown Court on November 27, 2025, Farrell, of Moorfield Road, Salford, was jailed for five years and three months.
A Clear Message to Organised Criminals
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Sajid Sardar from the force's City of Manchester Challenger Team stated: "Farrell believed he could escape justice by fleeing overseas, but our officers worked tirelessly to track him down."
"This was a complex investigation which involved cracking encrypted communications, gaining international cooperation from Spanish authorities, and years of persistence."
"His jail term sends a clear message: organised crime will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester. We will pursue offenders no matter where they hide, and no matter how long they have been hiding for."
The case demonstrates how international police cooperation and technological investigations are closing the net on criminals who attempt to flee abroad to avoid justice.
