What happened at the Luton home?

A masked gunman fired a shotgun at the front door of a house in Luton, which was captured on a Ring doorbell camera.

How did police link criminals to the shotgun attack?

Police hacked into an encrypted phone network called EncroChat, uncovering messages and details that helped identify suspects involved in drug and weapon trafficking.

What was the outcome of the EncroChat investigation?

The investigation led to numerous arrests, significant jail sentences for criminals, and the foiling of hundreds of violent plots.

Home / Crime and Justice / Shotgun blast at Luton home caught on doorbell camera

Shotgun blast at Luton home caught on doorbell camera

13 Jan

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Summary

Ring doorbell footage captured a masked gunman firing a shotgun at a front door.
The incident led to a massive organized crime probe after hacking encrypted phones.
A terrified woman called 999, stating children were inside the house.

Shotgun blast at Luton home caught on doorbell camera

A chilling doorbell camera recording captured the moment a masked assailant fired a shotgun at a Luton family's front door. The homeowner made a desperate 999 call, her voice trembling as she alerted authorities to the shooting and confirmed children were present. This incident became a cornerstone of Bedfordshire Police's "Operation Costello," a response to the national "Operation Venetic" probe that targeted the encrypted EncroChat communication system.

Detectives utilized evidence from the hacked EncroChat network, exposing a vast criminal underworld. This digital infiltration revealed drug deals, weapon trafficking, and illicit financial activities. Several individuals, including Ethan Mitchell, Kamran Bashir, Blazej Holub, and Ibraz Iqbal, were identified through their EncroChat handles and subsequently arrested. Investigations uncovered substantial quantities of drugs and cash, leading to significant prison sentences.