Wholesale Drug Gang Busted and Jailed in Surrey
A ruthless gang responsible for flooding the South East with cocaine, cannabis, and MDMA has been locked up following a major police crackdown. Surrey Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit smashed the network, handing down a combined 27 and a half years behind bars at Kingston Crown Court on July 26.
Massive Seizures and Luxury Lifestyles Exposed
- Police seized a staggering 1kg of cocaine, 5kg of cannabis, and 500 MDMA pills.
- Gang leader Scott Linegar splashed out £68,000 on holidays and travel, while banking £138,000 in unexplained cash credits during the investigation.
- Two stun guns were recovered, including one disguised as a mobile phone, used to intimidate rivals and enforce debts.
- Over £500,000 worth of drugs moved through the gang during their two-year reign.
- Linegar cunningly used his 69-year-old father-in-law, Alan Oldfield, as his main drug runner to avoid suspicion.
Video footage captured Oldfield’s arrest, showing 1kg of cocaine stashed beneath his car seat.
Serious Crime Boss Unmasked
“Scott Linegar was at the top of this criminal pyramid, orchestrating wholesale drug supply across North Surrey and the South East,” said Detective Inspector Gareth Hicks, head of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit. “Removing this gang dries up a major supply chain, stopping drugs before they hit the streets and cause harm.”
DI Hicks revealed how Linegar used a disguised stun gun to threaten enemies and control his empire. “He profited hugely while living a life of luxury, renting a detached home and spending tens of thousands on holidays, despite no lawful income since 2012. We’re now pursuing him under the Proceeds of Crime Act,” he added.
Oldfield, aged 69, was the unsuspecting front man, carrying out much of the dirty work thinking his age would evade police attention.
The Five Ringleaders Busted
- Scott Anthony Linegar, 39 – 15 years for leading drug supply and money laundering.
- Alan Oldfield, 69 – 7 years for key operational roles including transporting, storing, and distributing drugs.
- Brett Anthony Hilton, 43 – 5 and a half years for supplying cocaine to Linegar’s network.
- Mark Foster, 54 – 8 months suspended with curfew for supplying cannabis to the gang.
- Darren Mitten, 39 – 4 months suspended with curfew for involvement in cannabis supply.
How the Bust Went Down
On April 20, police stopped Oldfield’s car in Hampton, discovering a block of cocaine hidden under his seat. Linegar was arrested later that day in Banstead.
Searches of Oldfield’s home found bags of cannabis, MDMA, another stun gun concealed in a phone box, scales, and dealer lists. His shed also contained more cannabis stash.
Hilton and Mitten were arrested days later, while Foster was caught after returning from holiday at Gatwick Airport.
The investigation revealed Linegar had no legitimate job since 2012 but accounted for tens of thousands in suspicious cash, lavish holiday spends, and rental costs – painting a clear picture of crime-fuelled wealth.
Surrey Police’s hard-hitting operation has taken down a major player in the drug trade, sending a chilling warning to other dealers operating in the South East.
