announced the results of Operation Venetic. Working with all the police forces of the UK and other law enforcement bodies, officers made 746 arrests and seized £54 million of drug money, 77 firearms, 1,800 rounds of ammunition, 4 hand grenades, 55 high value (possibly stolen) cars and 2 tonnes of illegal drugs. The operation was possible after an international law enforcement team cracked the encryption of a mobile phone instant messaging service from EncroChat. Law enforcement in France and the Netherlands also carried out related operations with the assistance of Europol. Home Secretary Priti Patel said: "This operation demonstrates that criminals will not get away with using encrypted devices to plot vile crimes under the radar. The NCA's relentless targeting of these gangs has helped to keep us all safe. I congratulate them and law enforcement partners on this significant achievement". See also British intelligence agencies Joint Operations Cell References External links "Policing in the 21st century: reconnecting police and the people" – Home Office consultation paper "The National Crime Agency: A plan for the creation of a national crime-fighting ability" Home Office (United Kingdom) Information technology organisations based in the United Kingdom National law enforcement agencies of the United Kingdom Non-ministerial departments of the Government of the United Kingdom Organisations based in the London Borough of Lambeth Terrorism in the United Kingdom