Gary Burden was arrested at Liverpool Airport
Gary Burden, 38, was jailed for 13 years and four months(Image: Merseyside Police)
A drug dealer who conspired to supply vast quantities of drugs contributed to his own downfall by taking a selfie of himself wearing a face mask. Gary Burden, 38, and of Totnes Avenue in Halewood, used the handle “gravedill” on encrypted communications platform EncroChat to supply vast quantities of drugs to criminal contacts across the UK.
He was sentenced to a total of 13 years and four months at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, January 30, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin and cannabis, as well as conspiracy to conceal criminal property.
Burden was arrested at Liverpool Airport on September 18, 2025, as part of Merseyside Police’s involvement in Operation Venetic, an international operation targeting criminals using a mobile encryption service, commonly referred to as EncroChat to evade detection.
Police identified Burden as the user of the EncroChat handle “gravedill”, while other users had him saved under names including Gary, Gaz B, GB, Burden and “Gaz speak”. Investigators said he referred to family members by name in messages and was even wished a “Happy Birthday” by another user in May 2020.
Gary Burden has been jailed
He also provided clues about his vehicle, which was later identified by officers, and shared photographs of himself wearing a face mask and lying in bed with other EncroChat users.
Between January and June 2020, Burden conspired to supply around 12kg of cocaine, 24kg of heroin and 72kg of cannabis. He also admitted conspiring to conceal, disguise and convert criminal property representing the proceeds of drug trafficking.
Following his guilty plea, Burden was handed a jail sentence of 13 years and four months.
Detective Inspector James Boardman said: “Burden clearly thought he was above the law but thanks to our painstaking investigation we were able to bring him to justice and he is now behind bars for a considerable period of time.
“Our work will go on to target other people involved in this type of criminality.
“I would ask our communities to continue to support us in our efforts, and encourage anyone who has any information about drug dealing in their communities to contact us so that we can take positive action.”
Anyone with information on this incident should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also report information via the website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously In an emergency always call 999.
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