Former Everton youth footballer Jordan Gerrard and his brother Dean have been jailed for their roles in large-scale drug trafficking across Merseyside. Jordan Gerrard, 35, was sentenced to 13 years, while his older brother Dean, 38, received 11 years and three months at Liverpool Crown Court.
The brothers used encrypted communications platform EncroChat to supply wholesale quantities of cocaine, heroin and cannabis, as well as sourcing and selling ammunition for firearms. Jordan Gerrard, a retired striker, was arrested on February 19 this year when police found him sitting on a pile of cash in a car outside his waterfront apartment. His brother Dean handed himself in after returning from holiday.
EncroChat handles and operations
The court heard that Jordan Gerrard used the handle "Merry Mode" to supply class A and B drugs across Merseyside and beyond, while Dean operated the account "Mallet Land". Both had operated for some time before the network was infiltrated by French law enforcement in spring 2020.
Prosecutor Emily Land described how Jordan Gerrard's communications with "Stiff Ninja", previously identified as Faye Dunn, a former England youth footballer jailed in 2022, showed a deal to grow cannabis at a Warrington house owned by Dunn. She was to be paid £20,000 plus five months rent and bills. In one message, Gerrard said of the property: "Got a big one on bro yeno. Nice five bedroom ken."
Arrest and sentencing
Jordan Gerrard was found as a passenger in a Volkswagen Golf parked on double yellow lines on William Jessop Way, with him and the driver "passing things between them". He attempted to conceal cash by sitting on it. A £12,000 Rolex watch and two iPhones were seized. Further money and designer goods were found at his address.
Dean Gerrard was said to have played a leading role in plots to traffic cocaine and cannabis, purchasing batches of up to 10kg at once. His device recorded him passing thousands of pounds of cash per week, with debts up to £136,000. He has previous convictions including possession of class A drugs with intent to supply in 2004 and transferring a firearm and ammunition from 2009.
Judge's remarks
Sentencing, Judge Robert Trevor-Jones said: "Both of you were users of different EncroChat devices, now very well known but sophisticated devices using encrypted data in order to avoid detection and so used, as the court is well aware, by persons operating at a high level in this type of enterprise."
He told Dean Gerrard: "You were trading in kilogram amounts of cocaine. There were also references to buying and selling multi kilo weights. There is a reference to you ordering 20kg." Addressing Jordan, he said: "You were dealing in cocaine, diamorphine and cannabis, albeit in lesser amounts than your brother... You were also involved in the possession of ammunition and a conspiracy to obtain ammunition."
Detective Chief Inspector Gary Stratton said: "The arrest of Jordan was quickly followed by his brother Dean after it became clear they were both involved in supplying class A and B drugs. They clearly thought they could hide behind their handles on EncroChat devices, but, sadly for them, they left a trail of indisputable evidence that showed their involvement."
