Seven people sentenced to more than 57 years in prison after drugs gang operating in Portsmouth, Southampton, and Weston-Super-Mare dismantled

Seven members of an organised crime group (OCG) have been jailed for a combined total of more than 57 years for their involvement in a multi-million pound cocaine conspiracy spanning Portsmouth, Southampton and Weston-Super-Mare.

Officers from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Serious & Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) launched Operation Graffiti and investigated the drugs supply in these areas between 11 February and 17 July 2020.

As part of this investigation, 10kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of £1 Million was seized, in addition to £594,690 in cash.

Some of the cocaine seized by police

The investigation determined that members of the OCG used encrypted messaging app EncroChat to communicate, which assisted them in collecting and distributing multiple kilograms of cocaine.

EncroChat was accessed by law enforcement across the UK and Europe in 2020, allowing police officers the ability to extract data to target and disrupt organised criminals. Data obtained by police showed the Hampshire OCG contacting customers, offering cocaine for sale, co-ordinating its delivery and the collection of money.

The SOCU investigation determined that Peter Morrison was involved in the collection and distribution of cocaine, and the collection, counting and onward passage of cash obtained in the sale of the cocaine.

Peter Morrison

He would also act as a conduit for certain customers, and was also the primary conduit for Ryan Lafferty – one of the OCG’s couriers who would make trips to London, Weston-Super-Mare and Kent for the collection or distribution of drugs.

On 13 July 2020, Lafferty was arrested in Hampshire on his way back from Slough, where he had collected 10 kilos of cocaine which was subsequently seized by police.

Ryan Lafferty

Anthony Kelleher was determined to be a trusted and valued member of the OCG, storing both large amounts of cash and multi-kilo amounts of cocaine at his home address. He also collected and distributed large amounts of cocaine, and collected and facilitated onward passage of the cash obtained in its sale. During the conspiracy period, he made multiple trips to London to collect large amounts of cocaine and to transport significant amounts of cash – in excess of £200,000.

As with other couriers, Kelleher also made a trip to Weston-Super-Mare to deliver cocaine to Isaac Wyatt – another conspirator.

Anthony Kelleher

Courier David Brennan was instructed over encrypted message to collect multiple kilograms of cocaine from London for transportation to Portsmouth, which in turn would be sold on. He also collected cash which was passed on to the cocaine supplier.

Ricky Lane supported the OCG by assisting in the onward movement of significant sums of cash from cocaine sales. He would purchase cocaine in kilo weights and ounces for onward sale, and was also involved in the cultivation of cannabis on a commercial scale.

On 3 June 2020, he met with Kelleher and received two black bin liners stuffed with £300k cash, which had been stored at the address of Marcel Binns. Lane was arrested shortly after, and police found £170k in cash under the stairs in his home address. In his garage, police found hydroponics used in the cultivation of cannabis, along with two canisters believed to contain 50 litres of amphetamine oil.

On 10 June 2020 Binns’ home address was searched and a black bin liner full of cash, containing just over £110k was seized from a suitcase beneath her bed. A further £9k was seized from within her wardrobe.

The following people pleaded guilty to offences that were charged as a result of this investigation:
 

• Peter Morrison, aged 39, of Bromyard Crescent in Portsmouth, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Morrison was sentenced on Thursday 19 December at Portsmouth Crown Court for his involvement in this drugs conspiracy and a separate drugs conspiracy investigated under the name Operation Portable. Morrison was jailed for 17 and a half years.
• Anthony Kelleher, aged 55, of Fourth Avenue in Cosham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. At Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday 19 December he was jailed for 11 years and 2 months.
• Ricky Lane, aged 37, of Blackcap Close in Rowland’s Castle, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and being concerned in the supply of cannabis. At Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday 19 December he was jailed for 9 years and 8 months.
• Isaac Wyatt, aged 37, of Hafner Green in Weston-Super-Mare, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, and possession of cannabis with intent to supply. At Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday 19 December he was jailed for 8 years and 9 months.
• David Brennan, aged 53, of Merthyr Avenue in Portsmouth, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. At Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday 19 December he was jailed for 5 years and 3 months.
• Ryan Lafferty, aged 43, of North Street in Portsmouth, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. At Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday 19 December he was jailed for 5 years and 3 months.
• Marcel Binns, aged 67, of Mallow Close in Portsmouth, pleaded guilty to possession of criminal property. At Portsmouth Crown Court on Thursday 19 December she was sentenced to 9 months, suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to complete 100 hours unpaid work.

Investigating officer DC Steve Brown from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit said: “Operation Graffiti was a complex investigation and I’m pleased that these sentences send a strong message to those involved in the supply of drugs that we will not tolerate this activity. We estimate that this OCG could have sold anywhere between 230kg and 393kg of cocaine during the conspiracy period, potentially worth tens of millions of pounds.

"The fact that one of the defendants, Peter Morrison, was also sentenced for a separate drugs conspiracy investigated under Operation Portable, demonstrates the complexities we face when investigating and dismantling gangs like this. Our message is clear, if you are involved in the supply of drugs we will relentlessly pursue you and bring you to justice.

“We continue to encourage anyone who has information about drugs supply in their neighbourhood to report this to us, as this helps us build up an overall picture of the issues affecting your area.”

If you have concerns about drug-related activity in your neighbourhood please contact us on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Spotting the signs

We encourage our communities to spot the signs that someone might be involved in drugs supply, and to report any suspicious activity to us via 101, the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website or Crimestoppers where reports can be made 100% anonymously.

Some of the things to look out for and consider include:

• Do you know someone who is always going missing from school or their home?
• Are they travelling alone to places far away from home?
• Do they suddenly have lots of money/lots of new clothes/new mobile phones?
• Are they receiving much more calls or texts than usual?
• Are they carrying or selling drugs?
• Are they carrying weapons or know people that have access to weapons?
• Are they in a relationship with or hanging out with someone/people that are older and controlling?
• Do they have unexplained injuries?
• Do they seem very reserved or seem like they have something to hide?
• Do they seem scared?
• Are they self-harming?

Further information on EncroChat and how the network was infiltrated can be found on the NCA website via the following link: https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/operation-venetic