THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset
7th December 2022
Issue 759
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Organised crime group jailed for drug dealing Five men – two of them from South Gloucestershire - who
A police operation was conducted in Bristol on 16th and 17th
Both have now been
used an encrypted messaging service to discuss importing
March this year where Ryan was stopped in his van and
sentenced at Bristol
and transporting vast quantities of drugs have been jailed
Marshall was arrested at a Bristol pub. The van was searched
Crown Court where
for more than 30 years collectively.
and police seized several packages, containing ketamine,
Recorder
A police operation uncovered that they were using the
with an estimated street value of £168,000. Mobile phones
Vaitilingam told them:
EncroChat network to move ketamine across the country.
and approximately £6,000 in cash were also seized.
“You
Avon & Somerset Police became aware of the organised
Warrants were later carried out at Ryan’s home in Kingswood
involved
crime group – which included 33-year-old James Marshall,
and at a lock-up in Warmley where almost £8,000 in cash and
organised crime group
of Seymour Road in Staple Hill and Scott Ryan, 37, of
more ketamine was seized.
directing
and
Albany Sreet in Kingswood - and months of surveillance and
Two months later three other men were arrested - Ryan
supplying
ketamine
other investigative inquiries were carried out before they
Caplin, 26, of Kingsway in Brighton, Daniel Newman, 34,
on
were apprehended.
of Brambletyne in Saltdean, and 34-year-old Harrison
scale.”
Messages on the EncroChat platform showed the high-value
Beesley, of Kings Drive, Eastbourne.
James Marshall was
deals were arranged
Newman and Beesley were jointly charged with three counts
jailed for six years and nine months and Scott Ryan for four
over several months
of conspiracy to supply class B drugs (ketamine and
years. Newman received a seven-and-a-half year sentence;
in
The
cannabis) and one count of conspiracy to transfer criminal
Beesley was jailed for eight years and eight months and
messages included
property. Caplin was charged with conspiracy to transfer
Caplin for three years and four months.
discussions
about
criminal property and a second of conspiracy to supply
A timeline was set for confiscation proceedings with a
multiple six-figure
ketamine as well. They pleaded guilty to all charges and were
hearing planned for next year.
drug deals. Evidence
sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on 28th October.
Detective Sergeant Jason Chidgey said: “We welcome the
was
obtained
Marshall and Ryan both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to
strong sentences handed out to these five men and hope it
Ryan
supply ketamine and possession with intent to supply the
sends a loud message to anyone involved in the supply of
would drive across
same class B drug. They also both admitted conspiracy to
illegal drugs.
the country as part
transfer criminal property. Ryan also admitted three further
“These results come off the back of a complex and lengthy
of the group’s efforts
offences, namely possession of an offensive weapon in a
investigation and show that police and other law enforcement
to transport drugs.
public place and two counts of possessing criminal property.
agencies are steadfast in their determination to bring down
2020.
showing
James Marshall
Adam
were
a
in
both an
commercial Scott Ryan
organised crime groups who cause misery in local communities.”
Also in this week’s issue
Oldland football club defend unsanctioned work . . . page 3
Last bank in Downend to close . . . page 4
Latest plans to improve Keynsham’s ‘at risk’ conservation area . . . page 5
Brislington Meadows ‘not special enough to save’ says Natural England . . . page 7