Decoded phone messages led police to drug dealer

A Nottingham drug dealer who planned to supply heroin and cannabis using an encrypted messaging platform has been jailed.

Jordan Serrant used EncroChat to communicate with other criminals and buy large quantities of Class A and B drugs during the coronavirus pandemic.

After the service was infiltrated by police in Europe, intelligence shared with UK police led to Serrant's address in Helston Drive, Strelley, being raided in September 2020.

The 42-year-old later admitted conspiracy to supply heroin, diamorphine and cannabis between April and June 2020 and on Tuesday was jailed for 10 years and four months.

Police said the trial at Nottingham Crown Court heard he spent upwards of £54,000 on the drugs brought in from places such as Liverpool, Bradford and London.

EncroChat was a mobile phone instant messaging service with 60,000 users worldwide - including10,000 in the UK - which was targeted by international police.

The now dismantled service provided valuable information after police managed to gain access.

The raid on Serrant's property found quantities of drugs and cash.

Sgt Gina Northwood, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "It was clear from the encrypted messages that Serrant was running a well-established enterprise, handling harmful drugs in kilo quantities.

"The length of sentence handed to him shows how this type of criminality will not be tolerated and should serve as a warning to others thinking of supplying drugs."

A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing, which seeks to recover any assets or funds obtained through criminal activity, will take place later this year, police added.

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