Three drug dealers who were snared because of evidence obtained from a top secret messaging app have been jailed.

Grant Jaap, 30, Paul Martin, 43, and Peter Dickson, 34, were detained by detectives who cracked an encrypted phone network used by underworld figures.

The high court heard how Martin - described as the "principal" - directed "second in command" Dickson and Japp in the purchasing and selling of kilos of cocaine and heroin in Scotland's central belt.

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Police swooped in May 2022 as part of Operation Depth which focused on the crime gang.

This was linked to the Europe-wide Operation Venetic - an investigation into the top secret Encrochat phone network used by criminals.

Messages uncovered Martin joking with Jaap that the high demand for cocaine during lockdown would pay for his holiday to Ibiza.

He also teased off-shore worker Dickson to work harder as he wouldn't be able to "chill in the sun" otherwise.

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The leader further spoke about "wages" with Jaap while Dickson discussed "supply issues" due to the lockdown.

Martin was brought back from Tenerife by Scottish law enforcement officials and was brought to court with his accomplices.

The trio pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow last month to being involved in serious organised crime. Sentence was deferred for the court obtained reports about their background.

On Friday, the three accused re-appeared before judge Lord Matthews at the High Court in Edinburgh for sentencing.

Japp, of Shettleston, Glasgow, was given three years and four months. Martin, of Uddingston, Lanarkshire, was jailed for five years and eight months whilst Dickson, of Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, was ordered to serve four years and three months.

Passing sentence, Lord Matthews told the men that the illicit enterprise involved many kilos of cocaine and heroin. : He added: “It is clear that a great of planning was involved.”

At earlier proceedings, the court heard Martin held the username "Happy.com" and sent 18,596 messages on the Encrochat server.

Dickson was known as "Tubbyraven" while Jaap had the name "Lividbeta."

Prosecutor Neil McCulloch said: "It was established Martin was the principal of the organisation and was involved in the adulteration and distribution of Class A drugs across the central belt of Scotland.

"He is connected with other organised crime group members and can source significant quantities of drugs at a time.

"He has various associates in his drugs supply group - primarily Dickson who was his second in command.

"Jaap was asked by Martin to store, adulterate and distribute multi-kilo quantities of cocaine and heroin.

"They used encryption devices to contact each other to conduct their business."

Mr McCulloch read out a number of examples of conversations between the trio between March and June 2020.

Mr McCulloch said: "On April 8 2020, they exchanged messages suggesting that demand for cocaine will be so high by the end of lockdown that they'll need 20 kilos to meet it.

"Martin joked that he will have it and Jaap said that it would pay for his holiday to Ibiza."

Speaking about another message, Mr McCulloch added: "Martin joked with Dickson that he ought to be working harder saying 'How am I meant to get away and chill in the sun if you aren't working'."

Police raided Jaap's home on May 28 2021 and recovered £79,862 of cocaine and £296,672 of heroin from Jaap's bedroom.

Martin's property did not have drugs inside but designer goods and clothing worth £48,882 were found.

On Friday, Jaap’s advocate Brian McConnachie KC said his client was effectively an “employee”.

He added: “He fully accepts he became involved through his own efforts at a time when he was needing more money.

“He is still a relatively young man and he deeply regrets becoming involved.”

Shelagh McCall KC for Martin said he had no previous convictions for involvement in organised crime or drugs supply. She added that following his detention in Spain he did not oppose being returned to the UK.

John Scullion KC for Dickson said his client has expressed remorse and regret for becoming involved.

He added: “The accused’s involvement began when he lost his job at the outset of the Covid pandemic.”

Crown lawyers then lodged papers on the three men to launch proceeds of crime action against them. This will call in the high court sometime in the near future.