Three men jailed for a total of 23 years for their part in drug supply network

Three men who were part of a drug supply network operating across Surrey and Hampshire have been sentenced to a total of 23 years in prison when they appeared at Kingston Crown Court last Thursday (20 October).

Surrey officers were carrying out an investigation into the supply of Class A drugs in West Surrey which resulted in a vehicle stop in Fernhill Road, Farnborough, in June 2021.

Further enquiries revealed the vehicle was displaying false plates and had been stolen from Bromley in May 2021.

The driver was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and taken to Staines custody. A section 18 search was completed at his address in Farnborough, where police located almost £50,000 in cash, almost a kilo of cocaine and a cocaine press. He was further arrested for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and conspiracy to money launder.

While police were searching the address, a second man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to money launder.

Meanwhile, officers tracked another vehicle from the address being searched in Farnborough to Northampton where it was stopped by police. 

While walking up to the car, officers spotted the driver leaning down and fiddling with the centre console. A further search of the console revealed a button linked to a hide in the boot of the vehicle. Officers searched the hide and found a package of Class A drug.  Three further packages of Class A drugs were also found in the rear seat of the vehicle. In total, 5kg of Class A drugs were found in the vehicle. The driver was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

A review of phone data and evidence found at the address linked the three men to each other and the supply of Class A drugs.

All three were taken to Staines custody where they gave no comment interviews and remanded in custody. After an extensive investigation, they were charged and received the following sentences:

• Daniel Nelson, 33, of Nightjar Close, Farnborough, was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs and handling stolen goods and possession of criminal property.

• Beau West, 32, of Balmoral Road, Ash Vale, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs.

• Ryan Bambridge, 38, from Jessop Road, Stevenage, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Detective Constable Mikki Mayhew, from Surrey Police's Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: "These sentences are part of our continued effort into dismantling the organised crime networks within Surrey. An extensive investigation, which included reviewing phone data and liaising with our forensic experts, has ensured these men were brought to justice. All three were part of a sophisticated network of drugs supply and money laundering within Surrey. We urge anyone who has information regarding the supply or use of drugs in their local area to report it to us.”