EncroChat investigation in Berlin: 86 per cent of suspects identified, over 100 years in prison
Berlin's special investigation task force "EG Büchse" presents its findings: more than 20 EncroChat users convicted, over half a tonne of drugs seized.
Berlin investigation task force winds down – EncroChat proceedings largely concluded
A construction engineer who coordinated restoration plans for Berlin's Museum Island by day and hauled suitcases full of cannabis through the city by night: the case of Artur Witte – a pseudonym – exemplifies the double lives that EncroChat decryption brought to light. Berlin Regional Court sentenced the 44-year-old to seven years and three months in prison in January 2024. As reported by WELT, Berlin's special investigation task force "EG Büchse" is now drawing its final conclusions after approximately four years and will be dissolved.
Encryption cracked, flood of proceedings unleashed
Organised criminals used EncroChat's encrypted phones for years to conduct drug and weapons deals via encrypted messages. In spring 2020, French security authorities discovered a vulnerability in the service's software, known internally as "WhatsApp for criminals". For around two months, authorities were able to monitor communications – including discussions of cocaine deliveries, arms trafficking and contract killings against rivals.
For law enforcement, the decrypted data was both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, suddenly evidence of criminal networks emerged that would otherwise have remained undiscovered. On the other hand, police and prosecutors were initially simply overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material.
Berlin at the forefront of affected states
To manage the backlog of cases, the Berlin State Prosecutor's Office created Department 279 in January 2022, responsible for drug-related matters from EncroChat evaluation not attributable to organised crime in the narrower sense. Berlin ranks among the particularly affected states in nationwide comparison: with 740 registered cases and hundreds of suspects, the capital holds a leading position. Nationwide, more than 1,700 persons were arrested in connection with EncroChat proceedings.
"EG Büchse" identifies 86 per cent of suspects
Berlin Police Directorate 5 established the investigation task force "EG Büchse", most recently consisting of eight officers under the leadership of Criminal Senior Superintendent Nicolai Becks. The task force processed 73 data packages from the EncroChat dataset and was able to identify the suspects in 86 per cent of cases.
More than 20 EncroChat users were convicted as a result of these investigations – to a combined total of more than 100 years in prison. During searches, investigators seized more than half a tonne of illegal substances, 1.85 million euros in cash, twelve firearms and approximately 1,100 rounds of ammunition.
Gold bars in a late-night shop, drugs in a swimming pool snack bar
Beyond the Witte case, Becks and his colleagues retained memories of further unusual cases. One gang had hidden their drugs in the snack bar of a Berlin public swimming pool – money and gold bars were stored in a late-night shop. The leader of this group was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison based on the investigation results of "EG Büchse".
"Evidence served up on a silver platter"
Investigator Becks describes the insights gained from EncroChat as a fundamental shift in drug investigation. "To identify the masterminds, we often had to work laboriously upwards from small-time dealers in drug crime," he says. "Through the EncroChat data, we could often go directly after the big dealers and received the evidence as if it were served up on a silver platter."
Identifying the perpetrators behind the fantasy names on the EncroChat platform was nevertheless a considerable challenge. Initially, there was also legal uncertainty as to whether communication intercepted without initial suspicion was even usable for prosecution purposes. "If we had made an error, the courts might have fundamentally rejected the use of EncroChat messages," Becks says. "It was therefore all the more important that we worked very carefully."
Approximately five years after the decryption, the backlog of cases has now been largely processed, according to Becks. The "EG Büchse" will be dissolved – its mission is complete.
Source: WELT