Filmed, Produced and Directed

In 2020, international police managed to secretly hack into an encrypted phone network used by organised crime groups around the world.  

For 74 days, the messages sent and received on 60,000 handsets were covertly captured. It became one of the biggest international law enforcement operations in history.  

A brand new 4-part series, ‘Operation Dark Phone: Murder by Text’ tells the story of this extraordinary operation, giving a unique window into some of the highest-level global organised criminals and their crimes: violence, drugs, kidnap, money laundering and murder.

From the makers of 24 Hours in Police Custody, Dark Phone offers up a compelling mix of unfolding documentary and drama, taking us deep into the world of organised criminals as never seen before.   The series has unprecedented exclusive access to behind-the-scenes of Operation Venetic, led by the National Crime Agency and the work of their policing partners across the UK and abroad.

Telling the story of the operation from the inside, the series will reveal the shocking reality of three of the world’s most significant organised crime groups who were exposed and, in turn, brought down by their own text messages.

Broadcast: July 2025, Channel 4 - 4 x 1 hour

Awards:

RTS Craft Awards 2025 – Best Factual Director: Nominee

Broadcast Awards 2025 – Best Documentary Series: Nominee

Press:

Operation Dark Phone: Murder By Text – this jaw-dropping tale of how police hacked gangs is like The Wire – The Guardian

“Recommendation of the week. So well made…really, really fascinating… I absolutely loved it” Richard Osman, The Rest is Entertainment

The Garden Productions

Commissioner: Sacha Mirzoeff

Executive Producers: Simon Ford, Zac Beatiee

Composer: Simon Russell

Line Producer: Sophie Campbell

Director of Photography: Lorenzo Levrini

Film Editors: George Taylor & Pawel Slawek

Series Director: Luned Tonderai