Two Bristol men have been jailed for their part in a drug dealing operation that worked on a "commercial scale". James Marshall, 33, and Scott Ryan, 37, were two of five men sentenced after a police operation uncovered they were using encrypted messaging to move ketamine across the country.
The men, who used the the EncroChat network to discuss transportation, have been jailed for more than 30 years collectively. Avon and Somerset Police say they imported and transported 'vast quantities' of drugs.
Investigating officers became aware of the organised crime group – made up of Daniel Newman, Harrison Beesley, Ryan Caplin, James Marshall and Scott Ryan – and months of surveillance and other investigative enquiries were carried out before apprehending them all. Messages on the EncroChat platform were obtained by police which showed the high-value deals were arranged over several months in 2020.
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The messages included discussions about multiple six-figure drug deals. Surveillance work was carried out and evidence was obtained showing Ryan would drive across the country as part of the group’s efforts to transport drugs.
A police operation was conducted in Bristol on March 16 and 17 this year where Ryan was stopped in his van and Marshall was arrested at a Bristol pub. The van was searched, and police seized several packages containing ketamine, with an estimated street value of £168,000, as well as mobile phones and approximately £6,000 in cash.
Warrants were later carried out at Ryan’s home in Kingswood and at a lock-up in Warmley were almost £8,000 in cash and more ketamine was seized. The three over men, from Sussex, were arrested two months later.
Marshall and Ryan pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply ketamine and possession with intent to supply the same class B drug. They also both admitted conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
Ryan also admitted three further offences, namely possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and two counts of possessing criminal property. Both were sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, November 25.
All five men were sentenced as follows:
- Newman, 34, of Brambletyne in Saltdean – jailed for seven-and-a-half years.
- Beesley, 34, of Kings Drive in Eastbourne – jailed for eight years and eight months.
- Ryan Caplin, 26, of Kingsway in Brighton – jailed for three years and four months.
- James Marshall, 33 of Seymour Road in Staple Hill – jailed for 6 years and nine months.
- Scott Ryan, 37, of Albany Street in Kingswood – jailed for four years.
Detective Sergeant Jason Chidgey said: “We welcome the strong sentences handed out to these five men and hope it sends a loud message to anyone involved in the supply of illegal drugs.
“These results come off the back of a complex and lengthy investigation and show that police and other law-enforcement agencies are steadfast in their determination to bring down organised crime groups who cause misery in local communities”
“Crime doesn’t pay. It may be a well-used phrase, but it still holds true and these five men have learned that lesson the hard way with these prison sentences and the future confiscation of assets they tried to accrue through their criminality.
“We are grateful for the support of the Crown Prosecution Service and other agencies in bringing these men to justice.”
CPS Senior Crown Prosecutor Stella Waata said: “The CPS and a specialist police team worked closely together on this complex case to disrupt the illegal activities of a criminal network and secure convictions.
“The group used an encrypted EncroChat messaging system to co-ordinate the supply of ketamine and cannabis between Bristol and Brighton. The investigation by Avon and Somerset Police was supported by the CPS South West Complex Casework Unit, and together we built a compelling case which resulted in all the defendants pleading guilty.
“The illegal trade in drugs blights communities across the South West. The CPS is committed to working with our partners in the police to dismantle organised criminal groups and bring them to justice.”
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