A prolific cocaine and heroin dealer was jailed after police spotted he sent pictures of his own home’s driveway over the ‘secure’ Encrochat messaging network. Rudi Caldwell, 37, also used his own child’s name in messages and sent pictures of his home CCTV system to fellow criminals on the network, which was hacked by French police in 2020.
Caldwell was identified as the Encrochat user ‘box-bat’ playing a “leading role” supplying 16kg of cocaine, 2kg of heroin, and 14kg of cannabis in 2020. On Friday, August 1, Caldwell appeared at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty to conspiring to supply Class A drugs (cocaine and heroin) and a Class B drug (cannabis) and was jailed for 12 years.
The court heard how images posted on the Encrochat messaging system showed packages of white powder drugs embossed with the symbol for the trendy fashion house ‘Chanel’.
Caldwell, of Woolton, in Merseyside, was arrested at his home in April 2025 after officers discovered messages previously sent from his encrypted device.
Merseyside Police said they uncovered “plenty of evidence that identified him as playing a leading role in the supply of large quantities of cocaine, heroin and cannabis.”
Caldwell used the Encrochat handle ‘box-bat’ between March and June 2020, and he was linked to supplying 16kg of cocaine and 2kg of heroin, along with 14kg of cannabis.
The force added: “He was identified by detectives after he used the Encrochat device and named one of his children, sent images of his CCTV system showing his front driveway, and discussed the trade of his licensed taxi vehicles.”
His arrest forms part of Merseyside Police’s response to Operation Venetic: an international operation targeting criminals who attempted to evade detection by using a mobile encryption service.
Detective Inspector James Boardman said: “Caldwell is just the latest person to be brought to justice for their involvement in the widespread peddling of drugs on the streets of Merseyside.
Through our investigation, we were able to identify Caldwell as the person behind the ‘box-bat’ handle after he used the device and disclosed personal details, such as the name of his child, and even sent a picture of the view of the CCTV system at his house.
“Our work will go on to target other people involved in this type of criminality.
“I would ask our communities to continue to support us in our efforts and encourage anyone who has any information about drug dealing or who is storing or using weapons in their communities to contact us so that we can take positive action.”