Gangland tech guru used Encrochat to help Scots hoods being tracked by cops

A SELF-styled gangland surveillance expert used an encrypted Encrochat phone as part of a plot to keep hoodlums one step ahead of crime-fighters.

Career crook and former market trader Ian Sweeney, 53, was hired by Scotland’s top table criminals over fears they were being spied upon by cops.

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He used the handle BugSweep on the secretive handset he used to communicate with underworld figures keen to keep their illicit trades under the radar.

The ‘middleman’ in the drug trafficking plot pleaded guilty last week at the High Court in Glasgow to a charge of being involved in serious organised crime and the supply of drugs between March and May 2020.

It comes a year after we revealed Sweeney was jailed over a £1million drugs empire following a 20-year connection to organised crime.

He is already serving a five year jail-term having been convicted at the same court in 2023 for his role in a large-scale drug dealing operation.

He is likely to face extra-time behind bars when he is sentenced for this latest offence tomorrow.

Prosecutor Margaret Barron earlier told the court Sweeney “developed a reputation within criminal circles” of being able to get information on certain individuals including tracing where they could be found.

This included offering advice and providing “anti-surveillance measures” to avoid detection by the police.

He was also able to help adapt vehicles to construct “stash” areas which gangsters often use to hide drugs or dirty money.

Miss Barron: “He advised (an associate) that although he was based in Scotland, he travelled all over the UK to conduct his activities.

“The data showed Sweeney was specifically told the reason he was being asked to obtain information was for a criminal purpose.”

The court was given examples of some of the exchanges he had on Encrochat, which was later busted by the French and Dutch law authorities.

In one, he suggested a cost of £1500 for a “bug sweep” of any house or office in a European country.

Sweeney stated he worked for a “professional counter surveillance and intelligence company” employed “throughout the world” for banks and energy firms.

One associate – thought to be London-based – later got in touch stating he wanted two or three cars checked for “scanners and bugs asap”.

This individual said: “Pals found tracker on his motor.”

Shown a photo of the device, Sweeney replied: “It’s not coppers mate. Cheap eBay one.”

The associate added: “Yeah rats.”

“He mainly sourced drugs from one (EncroChat) handle before supplying these to another.”

Prosecutor Margaret Barron

Miss Barron said Sweeney was also involved in trafficking cocaine and cannabis throughout Scotland.

The advocate depute: “He mainly sourced drugs from one (EncroChat) handle before supplying these to another.”

This included 5kg of cocaine. He was also in contact with another individual, who was keen on moving a large consignment of cannabis.

Thomas Ross KC told the hearing his client had a long-held interest in “technology” and was “entirely self-taught”.

This had involved him initially carrying out legitimate work, but eventually “word spread” how his skills could be used by criminals.

Mr Ross added: “The offences he is most ashamed of is his involvement in drugs.”

Mr Ross said Sweeney had never handled any narcotics and had been a “middle man…being paid commission”.

Sweeney was jailed in March 2023 having teamed up with flash drugs boss James Paterson.

He helped Paterson, 35, track down someone who owed him money.

Sweeney also passed on orders to another individual as part of Paterson’s massive drug trafficking operation.

Like the latest offence, Sweeney was convicted of being involved in serious organised crime.

Paterson was jailed for 14 years for charges including class A drug dealing and money laundering.