Three men have been jailed following an investigation into the supply of cocaine in Swindon.
During the investigation, what the police term huge haul of drugs, together with thousands of pounds in cash, were seized.
On Monday 23 March, officers from the Serious and Organised Crime unit arrested Kyran Crane, 23, of Baydon Close, Swindon; and Bailey Wilson, 21, of Walter Close, Swindon.
Officers were acting on evidence that Crane had been using Wilson to store and supply drugs for him. Both were also found in possession of a bladed article on their arrest.
When officers stopped Crane, he had just messaged a person, later identified as 51-year-old Lewis Howells, to order a large quantity of cannabis.
Howells was arrested the following day and a search of his address in Ipswich Street in Swindon recovered a significant quantity of class A and B drugs along with more than £41,000 cash.
Drugs, with a total value of between £303,840 and £562,455 were located:
- 2.5kg of cocaine
- 26.9kg of cannabis
- Approximately 9,000 ecstasy tablets
- 4.3kg of ketamine
- 1.17 kg of Crystal Meth
- 1.6kg Cannabis Resin
- 798 grams of Magic Mushrooms
- 4.5 litres of GBL
- 493 grams of MDMA crystal
Financial investigations into Howells revealed that in the two years leading up to his arrest he had more than £444,000 going through his account, with more than £330,000 of that in third party payments suspected of being for drugs.
In addition, £100,000 was also found in a savings account which the police have frozen pending Proceeds of Crime proceedings.
Appearing before Swindon Crown Court, Lewis Howells was sentenced to four years in prison.
Kyran Crane had earlier pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs and Bailey Wilson had pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
Crane was jailed for four years and ordered to pay a £228 surcharge, and Wilson was jailed for three years and ordered to pay a £187 surcharge.
Both must also carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and comply with a rehabilitation activity requirement.
Detective Inspector Sarah Champion said: “Crane, Wilson and Howells were responsible for the supply of significant quantities of drugs into Swindon.
"Drugs are a blight on our communities and we know that such illegal activity is closely linked to violence and criminal exploitation of vulnerable people.
“We are determined to root out those who seek to profit from selling drugs, and the criminal networks that support this activity.
“Information from the public is vital in helping us bring those who are behind this activity before the courts.”
Information about signs to look out for and how to report drug related activity can be found at www.wiltshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/cl/county-lines/
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