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How seemingly innocent photo of cheese brought down drug dealer

A drug dealer’s plans have become undone due to a block of cheese.

Carl Stewart, 39, from Liverpool in England, was jailed for 13 years and six months on Friday.

Stewart pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin, conspiracy to supply MDMA, conspiracy to supply ketamine and transferring criminal property.

Carl Stewart, 39, is pictured in a mugshot.
Carl Stewart, 39, will serve more than 13 years' jail for conspiracy to provide cocaine, heroin, MDMA and ketamine. Source: Merseyside Police

Police said Stewart used EncroChat under the pseudonym “Toffeeforce” to supply drugs. EncroChat was an encrypted messaging app used by organised crime in Europe.

But Stewart was found out when he shared a photo of himself holding a block of Mature Blue Stilton on his device.

Although he wasn’t pictured, his hand was and police were able to ascertain his identity from his fingerprints.

Detective Inspector Lee Wilkinson called Stewart’s sentencing “significant”.

“Carl Stewart was involved in supplying large amounts of class A and B drugs, but was caught out by his love of Stilton cheese, after sharing a picture of a block of it in his hand through EncroChat,” Det Insp Wilkinson said.

“His palm and fingerprints were analysed from this picture and it was established they belonged to Stewart.

A piece of Mature Blue Stilton cheese is pictured.
Stewart shared this photo of Mature Blue Stilton cheese and police determined it was him from his fingerprints. Source: Merseyside Police

“As part of Operation Venetic, Merseyside Police has so far arrested more than 60 people, many of whom have been charged with serious drug trafficking or firearms offences.

“This year will see a number of these people continuing to appear before the courts, and we welcome each and every one.

“Stewart was handed a substantial sentence of 13 years and six months, and this should serve as a stark warning to anyone involved in this criminality that there are serious consequences.”

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