Austin McCormick got involved in the business during the coronarvirus lockdown
17:30, 17 Jul 2026
Austin McCormick, of Fallbrook Drive, West Derby(Image: Merseyside Police)
A drugs supplier used vans fitted with hidden compartments to transport tens of thousands of pounds worth of cocaine. Austin McCormick, 47, acted as a “broker” for the international supply chain, working closely with contacts sourcing drugs from Columbia, Greece and the Netherlands.
Between March and June 2020, the dad used the Encrochat handles TuckShop and TinyTail to organise the supply of 25kg of cocaine and 21kg of amphetamines. The encrypted communications platform was taken down by international law enforcement in 2020, resulting in numerous arrests of people using the devices for organised crime.
McCormick, of Fallbrook Drive, West Derby, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine) and class B drugs (amphetamines). He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today, July 17, for sentence.
Prosecutor Martina Snowden said: “The messages are but a snapshot of the involvement, and it’s clear the defendant was well involved in these activities. The defendant was communicating with 50 different handles within the indictment period. The TinyTail handle alone had 114 contacts stored.”
Multiple messages sent by McCormick revealing his involvement in the drugs supply were discovered, with mentions of “boat jobs from Columbia”.
He also talked of a pal who had “slot vans”, which the prosecution said were “vehicles with hides built into them to conceal drugs”. Further messages discussed the use of fake business email addresses to legitimise the long van journeys during the Covid-19 lockdown, when travel was restricted.
Jamie Baxter, defending, said McCormick had limited convictions dating back 30 years, and had never been in prison before. He called attention to letters written on McCormick’s behalf, including one from his daughter and another from the defendant himself.
He said: “His letter is both illuminative and candid. He doesn’t seek to diminish what he did, but seeks to offer some explanation as to how he found himself in the position that he did.
“Your Honour has read of his health diagnosis and his hard work to rebuild his future, retraining as an assessor and heat pump designer who worked on government schemes until his near-inevitable arrest.
“The hardest thing to him is the impact on those closest to him; his daughter and his elderly mother. In that letter to the court is an expression of sincere remorse. It is heartfelt.”
Reading from McCormick’s letter, he went on: “I stand to lose everything I worked for. It’s something I deeply regret. I’m sorry for what I have caused for my family.”
Sentencing, Recorder David Knifton KC said “You were involved primarily as a broker and facilitator in a conspiracy to supply not less than 25kg of cocaine and 21kg of amphetamines. You were also involved in discussions to import a further 5kg of cocaine, albeit that intention never took place.
“You played a leading role as far as the cocaine is concerned, being involved on Encrochat devices as TuckShop and TonyTail to direct and organise the supply of cocaine and amphetamines on a wholesale scale.
“You were clearly close to the source of the operation, which appears to be originally from Columbia, via Greece and the Netherlands.”
He said: “I take into account your good employment record. Regrettably your company came to be dissolved, in part due to health difficulties, which in turn led to significant financial problems, compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic when you found yourself in a position were you were not entitled to government assistance.
“It was that background which led to you becoming involved in the supply of drugs. You have since 2020 worked hard to retrain and rebuilt your career.
“I have read references on your behalf. They describe you as professional, hardworking, conscientious man, as well as a kind, caring family man and a source of help and support to your family and friends.
“I accept your letter shows genuine remorse on your part. Although technically it might be inappropriate to describe you as a man of good character, I accept there has been no other offending in your adult life, and the positive aspects of your character are aspects I take in your favour.”
He sentenced McCormick, of Fallbrook Drive, West Derby, to 14 years in prison for conspiracy to supply cocaine. He sentenced him to four years for conspiracy to supply amphetamines, to run concurrently, making a total of 14 years in prison.