‘Encyclopaedia’, ‘coursework’ and ‘head tutor’… code names help crack open a multi-person drug dealing operation

Eleven members of an organised crime group that concocted an elaborate conspiracy to deal drugs throughout Surrey, have now been sentenced at Guildford Crown Court to a combined total of over 50 years in prison.

• Saad Arshad, born on 13/04/1996, of Albert Drive in Woking, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and conspiracy to supply class B drugs. He was given seven and a half years in prison.
• Harvey Edmonds, born on 18/08/1995, of Rye Close in Guildford, pleaded guilty to four counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and class B drugs and sentenced to three years behind bars.
• Rosie Fulk, born on 17/07/1996, of Swallow Rise in Knaphill, pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, conspiracy to supply class B drugs and money laundering. She was sentenced to six years in prison.
• Serena Linsley, born on 14/02/1969, of Thorneycroft Close in Walton-on-Thames, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering and given a 12-month suspended sentence.
• Samuel Linsley, 27, born on 22/04/1996, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and money laundering. He was given a sentence of eleven and a half years in prison.
• Harvey Penton-Stewart, born on 30/06/2002 of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to supply class B drugs and handed a one-year suspended sentence.
• Jasmin Penton-Stewart, born on 20/02/1992, of Plaistow Road in Dunsfold, pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, conspiracy to supply class B drugs and money laundering. She was handed four years in prison.
• Tom Ross, born on 09/12/1992, of Devoil Close in Guildford, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and money laundering. He was sentenced to six years in prison.
• Harry Turner, born on 10/09/1993, of Church Road in Bookham, pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, conspiracy to supply class B and money laundering. He was given a nine-year prison sentence.
• Dominic Scott, born on 20/07/1994, of Downside Common Road in Cobham, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and attempting to pervert the course of justice. He was given nine years behind bars.
• Frederick Sherlock, born on 11/06/1991, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and conspiracy to supply class B drugs. He was handed a two-year suspended sentence.

The investigation into the conspiracy first began in October 2019 after a car owned by Jasmin Penton-Stewart was proactively stopped in Godalming, after being flagged for having no insurance. Whilst pulled over, officers noticed that the vehicle smelt strongly of cannabis and a thorough search was conducted. The search uncovered a handbag that contained cannabis, cocaine, and cash.

A warrant was then executed at her home address and 50 grams of cocaine and 316 grams of cannabis were located and seized. Whilst reviewing her mobile phone, a large number of messages were then found that referenced the supply of drugs from a number of other members of the organised crime group (OCG).

From the phone evidence it was clear that the leader of the group was Samuel Linsley, who was already serving time in prison after being convicted of previous drug offences. Investigations revealed that he had a smuggled mobile phone and was using this to direct criminal activities of the gang from behind bars and that his own mother Serena was intimately involved in the movement of money for her son.

Based on intelligence gathered throughout the investigation, officers conducted a search of the home address of Dominic Scott and located a kilo of cocaine in the bathroom.  They were also able to piece together extensive text messages that used code names such as ‘encyclopaedia’, ‘coursework’ and ‘head tutor’ (meaning drugs and money), to identify and arrest the other members of the drug running gang.

Investigating Officer DC Mikki Mayhew of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit said; “This sentence is a huge success for the team who worked really hard to build a watertight case, but also the residents of Surrey who can be so negatively impacted by drug dealing. The long sentences reflect the seriousness and scale of these crimes; over the course of the investigation over a kilo of cocaine was seized from the OCG.

“We take drug dealing and organised crime extremely seriously and wherever possible will always pursue a conviction and prison sentence for those involved. If you think someone you know may be involved in drug dealing, please report it to us via our online reporting tool or by calling 101.”