A family from Long Ashton whose 'ice cream' in their freezer was actually amphetamine have been sentenced after admitting drug-related offences. Kevin Power, his wife Samantha Griffiths and his son Cormac Ferrari-Power, all of Providence View, were netted in police Operation Box Hedge, Bristol Crown Court heard.
Power, 54, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis, possessing amphetamine with intent to supply and conspiracy to transfer criminal property. Ferrari-Power, 28, admitted conspiracy to supply cannabis and Griffiths, 44, admitted conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
Judge Euan Ambrose jailed Power for 36 months. He handed Ferrari-Power eight months' jail suspended for 18 months with 180 hours' unpaid work and rehabilitation. Griffiths was handed five months' jail suspended for 12 months and rehabilitation.
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Kaj Scarsbrook, prosecuting, said the case hinged on encrypted EncroChat messages obtained by police showing Power buying 20 kilos of cocaine, as well as amphetamine and cannabis oil, from a source. The Crown's case was that Power was obtaining drugs and Ferrari-Power was acting as a drugs runner.
The court heard police raided the defendants' home in July 2020 and found evidence of cannabis, a smart phone and a kilo of amphetamine in the kitchen freezer. Ferrari-Power was arrested at the scene and when Power returned he admitted possessing the amphetamine, referred to as 'ice cream' in messages.
The court was told Power saw amphetamine supply as a side venture. Police raided the home again in April 2021 and found cannabis cultivation equipment. The police investigation established that Power put some £12,770 criminal proceeds into Griffiths' bank account.
Ramin Pakrooh, defending Power, said his client's background was in catering and hospitality, in both the UK and Spain, and in 2020 Covid lockdown decimated that industry and Power fell into mortgage arrears. Mr Pakrooh described Power as a 'long-term user of amphetamine and cannabis', who was in very poor mental health but of good character before he committed the offences.
Peter Binder, defending Griffiths, told the court: "She was on her own in Spain during much of lockdown. Her physical and mental health issues are extremely significant, she is in severe and constant pain and the proceedings have quite clearly exacerbated the difficulties she faces on a medical level."
Craig Rush, defending Ferrari-Power, said: "He is a 28-year-old law graduate. He set out to make something of himself, this is a real tragedy. The plans he had for the future are significantly impacted. He is aware a career in the law is now pie in the sky."
