Two men who supplied cocaine wholesale to local dealers across Swindon have been jailed following a major police investigation.
Jake Stevens, 23, and Tyrone Richards, 25, were identified by Wiltshire Police as third-tier suppliers who played a key role in enabling larger-scale drug distribution across the town.
At Swindon Crown Court on Friday 13 February, Stevens was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison, while Richards received six years.
Investigation uncovered supply chain
The investigation began with the arrest of Oskar Krzeszewski in April last year. He has since been jailed for operating a crack cocaine and heroin drug line in the Swindon area.
Officers discovered that Krzeszewski had been sourcing cocaine from another dealer, who has since been charged with Class A drug offences and remanded in custody.
Analysis of that dealer’s mobile phone revealed he was being supplied by Stevens and Richards, who were jointly running a drug line at a higher level in the network.
On 26 June, officers executed warrants at their addresses with support from the Metropolitan Police’s Op Orochi team.
Cash, drugs and weapons seized
At Stevens’ address in Wroughton, officers found more than £7,000 in cash hidden under a bed, along with a mobile phone, packaging consistent with a kilo block of cocaine, forensic gloves and a number of high-value items.
At Richards’ home in East Wichel, police recovered large quantities of cocaine and cannabis, £2,355 in cash, drug paraphernalia, an illegal EKOL top-venting handgun and a zombie knife.
A lock-up unit controlled by Stevens was also searched, uncovering further bulk quantities of cocaine and numerous items of high-value clothing.
Both men were charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession with intent to supply cocaine and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.
Richards also admitted possession with intent to supply cannabis and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.
They pleaded guilty to all offences. A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing is scheduled for July.
“High-tier dealers”
Investigating officer DC Saunders said: “Stevens and Richards were high-tier dealers, operating upstream and supplying tens of thousands of pounds worth of Class A drugs to be distributed across Swindon.
“They had an established network in which they were removed from the lower levels of the hierarchy, letting other people take more of the risk while they retained much of the profits.
“Through our investigation into various levels of this network, Richards and Stevens were identified and caught with significant amounts of cash and drugs.
“This outcome should act as a strong deterrent to anyone involved in drug supply, not just those at street level, and a reminder that we will continue to take decisive action to dismantle criminal drug networks.”
Police are urging members of the public to report suspected drug activity via 101 or through the Wiltshire Police website.
