Jamie Rothwell: From Gang Wars to a 43-Year Sentence – The Rise and Fall of a Crime Boss
A story of power, violence, and downfall – Jamie Rothwell’s journey reveals both influence and destruction
Introduction
Jamie Rothwell is one of the most infamous names to emerge from Salford’s criminal underworld. His story is a striking mixture of ambition, power, violence, and eventual downfall. Once seen as a key figure in organized crime, Rothwell controlled multi-million-pound drug operations and coordinated violent attacks that shook communities across the United Kingdom. Yet, his empire crumbled when international law enforcement infiltrated his encrypted communications, leading to one of the largest organized crime convictions in British history.
The life of Jamie Rothwell is both a warning and a reflection of how unchecked ambition in the underworld can bring temporary wealth but ultimately results in long prison terms. His biography demonstrates the scale of Britain’s gang wars, the impact of technology in law enforcement, and the heavy price of criminal life.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jamie Rothwell |
| Age | 38 years (as of 2025) |
| Place of Origin | Salford, Greater Manchester |
| Known For | Gang leader, drug trafficking, firearms conspiracies |
| Notable Activity | Anti A-Team gang wars, Warrington shooting orchestration |
| Arrested | December 2020 in Amsterdam |
| Extradited | March 2021 to the UK |
| Conviction | Conspiracy to supply drugs, firearms, and grievous bodily harm |
| Sentence | 43 years imprisonment (2025) |
Jamie Rothwell’s Early Involvement in Crime
Jamie Rothwell grew up in Salford, Greater Manchester, an area long associated with deep-rooted gang conflicts. During the mid-2010s, he was involved in the infamous feud between the A-Team, linked to Paul Massey, and the Anti A-Team, a splinter group in which Rothwell played a central role. These violent confrontations left communities living in fear, with shootings, stabbings, and targeted attacks becoming common.
Rothwell’s name became firmly associated with organized violence after he survived a targeted shooting himself. In 2015, he was attacked at a car wash in Manchester and sustained serious injuries. Despite the attempt on his life, his influence in Salford’s gang landscape only grew stronger.
Building a Criminal Empire
As the conflicts escalated, Rothwell transitioned from street-level violence to large-scale organized crime. He established himself as a drug trafficker, overseeing the import and distribution of cocaine and ketamine worth tens of millions of pounds. Reports suggest that his drug operations had a street value of around £26 million, making him one of the most powerful criminal figures in Greater Manchester.
In addition to drugs, Rothwell also became heavily involved in the trafficking of firearms. His network sourced and distributed high-powered weapons, including AK-47 rifles, to be used in gang-related attacks. His influence extended beyond Salford, as his criminal enterprise stretched across the UK and into Europe.
EncroChat and Operation Venetic
The turning point in Jamie Rothwell’s story came in April 2020, when international authorities infiltrated EncroChat, an encrypted messaging service widely used by criminal organizations. This operation, known as Operation Venetic, exposed Rothwell’s communications and revealed the scale of his activities.
Under the username “Livelong,” Rothwell coordinated drug deals, firearms exchanges, and even orchestrated violent attacks. His messages provided law enforcement with evidence of his role as a gang leader, showcasing how he directed criminal operations from behind the safety of encrypted devices. This breakthrough was described as one of the biggest successes in British policing since the introduction of DNA evidence.
The Warrington Shooting
One of the most shocking crimes linked to Jamie Rothwell was the Warrington shooting of April 2020. From his base abroad, Rothwell ordered an attack on a rival associate. Disguised as a pizza deliveryman, a gunman knocked on the victim’s door and shot him in the leg. The victim survived but suffered life-changing injuries.
Rothwell’s orchestration of the attack highlighted his dangerous influence. He placed a “bounty” on the victim, effectively putting the shooting “out to tender.” This ruthless act further cemented his reputation as a man willing to use violence to maintain dominance and protect his empire.
Arrest and Extradition
Following the exposure of his communications, Rothwell fled the United Kingdom. Authorities tracked him to Amsterdam, where he was arrested in December 2020 under a European Arrest Warrant. His capture was dramatic, marking the end of his attempts to evade justice.
In March 2021, Rothwell was extradited back to the UK. His trial was set at Manchester Crown Court, where he faced an overwhelming body of evidence gathered from EncroChat and other investigations. His downfall demonstrated the effectiveness of international cooperation in fighting organized crime.
Conviction and Sentencing
In 2025, Jamie Rothwell pleaded guilty to a series of serious offences, including conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm. The sheer scale of his criminality shocked the public and reinforced the dangerous nature of organized crime networks.
In August 2025, he was sentenced to 43 years in prison. Alongside him, nine of his associates were jailed, receiving a combined sentence of almost 164 years. Altogether, Operation Venetic convictions connected to his case resulted in nearly 207 years of prison terms.
The Impact of Operation Venetic
The case of Jamie Rothwell was part of a much larger picture. Operation Venetic led to over 2,200 convictions, the seizure of £84 million in assets, the recovery of more than 8 tonnes of Class A drugs, and the confiscation of 175 firearms with 3,500 rounds of ammunition. It was a historic breakthrough in the fight against organized crime, showing that even the most powerful crime bosses could not escape the reach of law enforcement.
For the communities once terrorized by Rothwell’s activities, his imprisonment brought a sense of relief and closure. The extensive sentences handed down to him and his associates sent a strong message to other criminal networks across the country.
Conclusion
Jamie Rothwell’s life is a story of ambition and destruction. From his early days in Salford’s gang wars to running a multi-million-pound drug and firearms empire, he rose to become one of Britain’s most notorious criminals. However, his reliance on encrypted technology could not shield him from justice forever.
The 43-year sentence handed down in 2025 marked the collapse of his empire and provided justice for victims of his violent reign. His story serves as a reminder that while crime may bring short-term power and wealth, it ultimately ends in downfall, imprisonment, and loss of freedom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jamie Rothwell?
Jamie Rothwell is a Salford-born gang leader and organized crime figure who ran a multi-million-pound drug and firearms empire before being jailed in 2025.
What was Jamie Rothwell convicted of?
He was convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine and ketamine, conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.
How long is Jamie Rothwell’s prison sentence?
In 2025, he was sentenced to 43 years in prison at Manchester Crown Court.
What was the Warrington shooting?
In April 2020, Rothwell ordered a shooting in Warrington where a man was attacked at his home by a gunman disguised as a pizza deliveryman, leaving the victim with life-changing injuries.
What was Operation Venetic?
Operation Venetic was a major international law enforcement operation that infiltrated the EncroChat network, leading to the exposure and conviction of thousands of criminals, including Jamie Rothwell.
