EncroChat dealer ‘Weary Dog’ hid cannabis in his baby’s house

A drug smuggler known as “Tired Dog” hid cannabis in his pub.

Phillip Lam conspired to smuggle hundreds of kilograms of illicit substances into the UK in weekly shipments from Spain. He also made profits of around £10,000 a week as the boss of a “criminal business” dealing in wholesale quantities of heroin and cocaine.

Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Friday, that the 33-year-old used the handle ‘WearyDog’ on the encrypted communications platform EncroChat. Messages revealed when the network was infiltrated by French police in 2020 showed its involvement in the supply of 24kg of cocaine, 6kg of heroin and 158kg of cannabis.

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Alex Langhorn, prosecuting, described how Lam, formerly of Taggart Avenue in Childwall, also discussed importing 318kg of the class B drug and setting up a crop with the expectation of producing up to 10kg per crop. He added: “He used others to store and deliver drugs and even has some cannabis stored at the baby’s house.”

The father-of-two was said to have “started as a junior partner” in drug smuggling from Spain, but went on to arrange shipments worth hundreds of kilograms using contacts in Central Europe. Lam, now of no fixed address but originally from Dingle, has a total of eight previous convictions for 14 offences.

Damien Nolan, defending, told the court: “He did not seek to invite me to make ambitious observations about the evidence. He doesn’t try to argue.

“It appears that he applied himself diligently to work in the prison. His partner will have difficulty raising his children with their special difficulties.”

Lam admitted conspiracy to circumvent the ban on the importation of cannabis, conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine and cannabis and conspiracy to manufacture cannabis. Appearing via video link to HMP Lindholme in Doncaster, he shook his head and put his face in his hands as he was locked up for 16 years and eight months.

Sentencing, Judge Gary Woodhall said: “It is clear that you dealt in several kilos of cocaine, diamorphine and cannabis.

“These were exchanges of several kilograms of drugs at a time. You imported cannabis from the mainland, including Spain. You talked about having a system of weekly imports. It was clearly profitable and regular.

“You also arranged to set up a cannabis farm and talked about a profit of £10,000 a week. You even used your grandmother’s house to store cannabis as part of this criminal enterprise.

“Your prison will have a real impact on your children’s upbringing without their father and your partner being alone with those children. It’s trite to say this, but it’s true – you should have thought about your family before committing to this. criminal offence.

“What is clear is that you have caused shame and anxiety to your family. On a positive note, since your remand, you have applied yourself diligently and positively.

“This was your conspiracy, with you at the top. This was your criminal enterprise.”

Merseyside Police told the ECHO that Lam was identified as a Weary Dog user because he was saved as ‘Lammy’ on his associates’ phones. He also mentioned the names of his children in his messages and made reference to his partner’s upcoming birthday and the fact that he would be wanted by the force due to his impending fraud trial.

Detective Sergeant James Boardman said following the hearing: “Lam’s criminal activity of conspiring to flood the streets with drugs was prolific and he pleaded guilty to this. Our work continues to detect and arrest those involved in the sale and distribution of class A and B drugs.

“I hope it sends a strong message to criminals that we are taking action and will bring them to justice. I think this sends a clear message to criminals that crime does not pay

“We will continue to be relentless in pursuing criminals. I would ask anyone with information about who is supplying or selling drugs in their area to contact us so we can take action.”

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