The final member of a drugs gang has been sentenced to seven years in prison today (May 28) following an investigation by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) which saw £300,000 worth of drugs being discovered.
A man from Burghfield Common, Samuel Hughes, was recently as part of the same investigation.
Hughes, 28, of Omers Rise, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and was sentenced to six years imprisonment in February.
The final offender, Benjamin Kirby, 30, from Hampshire, had previously been found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine), following a trial at Guildford Crown Court in December 2019.
An investigation was launched after a car driven by gang member Jake Wheeler was stopped on the M3 near Frimley in Surrey, in December 2018 - and two kilos of high purity cocaine were found in the vehicle.
After an investigation by officers from SEROCU, the other three members were identified and linked to Wheeler.
During a search at Wheeler’s home, a further kilo of high purity cocaine was found under his bed.
Detectives seized drugs, with a street value of more than £300,000, along with large sums of cash and multiple mobile phones.
Kirby was sentenced today (May 28) at Guildford Crown Court via video link from Highdown Prison.
Detective Inspector Graham Curtis, from SEROCU’s investigations team, said: “This is a great result for our unit. Drug dealing causes significant harm in our communities, and this is a priority for the SEROCU to disrupt the supply of drugs and remove drugs and dealers from our streets.
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“I would urge anyone who may have information about drug dealing, regardless of the location, to contact police by calling 101.”
The other three members, including Hughes, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs at Guildford Crown Court, and were sentenced on February 21.
Ricky Shanahan, 28, of Sutton Way in London, was sentenced to eight years and one month imprisonment, while Jake Wheeler, 26, of Lodge Road, Yateley, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and was sentenced to five years and six months imprisonment.
A fifth man was found not guilty following a trial.
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