Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA): Members of drugs network await sentence - Background Document

Ten men are due to be sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on 1 and 2 July for conspiring to supply Class A drugs.

Images, and sections of search and surveillance footage, are available.

Investigation overview:

Beginning in September 2007, this was a SOCA-led operation into the supply and distribution of Class A drugs, principally cocaine. It involved partnerships with several law enforcement and governmental organisations, chiefly including the Dorset, Kent and South Wales forces.

SOCA officers identified links between the supply of drugs to the Swansea Valley area of South Wales and individuals on the South Coast of England. Dorset Constabulary and South Wales Police were therefore engaged at this stage to help build a clear picture of the conspiracy.

This showed that the crime network comprised three regional sub-groups in Bournemouth, Kent (incorporating Bexleyheath, Chislehurst, Bromley and Maidstone) and the Swansea Valley area. These were directed respectively by Craig Blake, Darren Quick and David Richards. The South Wales element was procuring the drugs from Quick's Kent organisation, with Blake's gang in Bournemouth acting as the conduit.

Prior to the arrest of Quick in December 2008, evidence suggests that the network was distributing up to 8kg of 70-80% pure cocaine every 7-10 days. This would then be 'cut' to increase profits at street level.

In June and July 2009, the five most prominent members of the Bournemouth and South Wales groups, along with a number of associates, were arrested and charged with conspiracy to supply controlled drugs, and associated money laundering offences.

The investigation also discovered that Blake and Quick had previously collaborated in the export of high-purity cocaine to Australia using a sophisticated method of concealment. Working with the Australian Federal Police, evidence was obtained of both the drug trafficking and associated money laundering through a Panamanian-registered company and bank accounts in the US and Cyprus. This resulted in additional charges against the pair.

Searches throughout the period additionally recovered three commercial presses consistent with drug trafficking, 14kg of cocaine and cutting agent, 23kg of amphetamine, 3,000 cannabis plants, and four tasers.

Criminal network:

Darren Brian Quick: 18/11/65, previously of Oldfield Drive, Wouldham, Rochester. He is already serving a 7.5 year sentence after pleading guilty to charges relating to this investigation of possessing criminal property, transferring criminal money and money laundering: Produced from prison on 22/07/09 and arrested for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Later pleaded guilty.

Craig Duncan Victor Blake: DOB 21/04/72, Huntly Road, Bournemouth: Arrested 30/06/09. Pleaded guilty

Gareth Richard Davies: DOB. 25/01/74, St. Luke's Road, Bournemouth: Arrested 30/06/09. Pleaded guilty

Michael Anthony Green: DOB 08/05/80, East Avenue, Bournemouth: Arrested 30/06/09. Convicted 25/05/2010 at Cardiff Crown Court:

Mathew Paul Howgate: DOB 12/10/76, Branksomewood Road, Bournemouth: Arrested 30/06/09. Pleaded guilty

Lee Maurice Cutler: DOB. 18/02/77, Surrey Road, Bournemouth: Arrested 30/06/09. Convicted 25/05/2010 at Cardiff Crown Court.

David Carl Richards: DOB 06/04/78, Garth Road, Rhydyfro, Pontardawe, Swansea: Arrested 30/06/09. Pleaded guilty

Keri Lyn Pritchard: DOB: 27/05/76, Alltywerin Road, Pontardawe, Swansea: Arrested 30/06/09. Pleaded guilty

Adam Horton: DOB 11/04/87, Mansel Terrace, Cwmbwrla, Swansea: Arrested 11/12/09. Pleaded guilty

David Williams: DOB 21/10/67, Brytwn Rd, Cwmmer, Port Talbot: Arrested 03/06/09. Pleaded guilty.

To view the organogram that accompanys this release, please follow the link below;

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/ImageLibrary/detail.aspx?MediaDetailsID=2108

Bournemouth group:

Craig Blake led this part of the network, which primarily linked Quick's drug supply to the South Wales group but is also believed to have distributed drugs in the Dorset region. Uniquely, Blake exerted a controlling influence on the other regional heads, Darren Quick and David Richards. He had masterminded the plan to export drugs to Australia, and oversaw the importation to distribution process involving the three groups.

Blake went to considerably lengths to elude law enforcement, speaking primarily face-to-face with his 'right hand man', Gareth Davies, who in turn would carry out day-to-day running of the group. When Blake did speak to other members of the network, it would usually be via unregistered mobile phones supplied by Davies, or telephone kiosks.

Another member of the Bournemouth gang, Michael Green, stepped in as Blake's 'link man' when necessary, and also gave direction to Matthew Howgate and Lee Cutler, who transported drugs and cash.

Cutler additionally assisted Davies in sourcing a new supplier following Quick's arrest.

Michael Green and Lee Cutler were convicted of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs at Cardiff Crown Court on 25 May 2010.

South Wales group:

The South Wales part of the conspiracy, which also included Keri Pritchard, Adam Horton and David Williams, was primarily responsible for both the wholesale and street level distribution of cocaine. It is believed that at its peak of operation, the gang was responsible for 75% of cocaine available in the Swansea Valley area.

Sale of the drugs in South Wales was found to be on Blake's behalf. David Richards would communicate directly with Craig Blake, sometimes with no other members of the network present, but he would not liaise directly with Darren Quick and the Kent organisation.

In March 2008, Adam Horton moved into Richards' home and became involved in bagging and storing cocaine.

David Williams was involved in both mixing and transporting drugs for Richards.

When Quick was remanded in custody in December 2008, an industrial press was moved from Kent to the possession of David Richards to ensure the South Wales and Bournemouth operations could continue wholesale cocaine distribution.

Before it was dismantled, this group had a considerable impact on the local community. Two pubs in the Pontardawe area which had previously been hubs of local social life had become 'no-go' through being frequented by the gang.

Kent group:

Up until his arrest and remand in custody in December 2008 following the seizure of nearly £330,000 obtained from the proceeds of drug trafficking, Darren Quick had the responsibility of the flow of goods to the other regions. He was sentenced to 7.5 years in August 2009 for related money laundering offences.

Norrie Hyde and Stephen Jarrett, also currently serving sentences for related money laundering offences, supported Quick's operation.

Contacts

NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the above department
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk