Drug Kingpins Caught in Major Cocaine and Heroin Bust
Police have smashed a ruthless drug network in Sussex. Operation Relic, led by the Serious Organised Crime Unit, targeted Lubhaia Ram, his son Surinder Kumar, and associates. The gang supplied large quantities of cocaine and heroin across 2017 and 2018.
Seven Years for Father – Son Jailed Again
- Surinder Kumar, 39, from East Grinstead, received five years. This runs after an 11-year sentence he’s already serving for another drugs case at Kingston Crown Court.
- Lubhaia Ram, 60, of Crawley, was slammed with seven years plus a further four on extended licence.
Other key players were also locked up at Brighton Crown Court on April 14:
- Wayne Mather, 51, Crawley – six years nine months.
- Jamie Yardley, 31, Crawley – eight years three months.
- Ferit Dajcaj, 34, London NW9 – three years ten months.
More Sentences as Police Crack Down on Drugs
On April 28, Brighton Crown Court sentenced three more men:
- Jordan Lacey, 30, Crawley – eight years five months for cocaine conspiracy and obstructing police.
- Joshua Erikson, 27, Crawley – seven years three months for conspiracy to supply cocaine and offering to supply alprazolam.
- Aaron Dolding, 36, Crawley – four years six months for conspiracy to supply cocaine.
Undercover Operation Unearths Drug Empire
Detective Constable Steve Wood said: “This was a high-intensity operation over several months, based on intelligence and surveillance to link the defendants.”
Police experts tracked the gang’s constant mobile phone chatter. The conspirators even juggled multiple numbers and switched phones frequently to dodge detection.
How the Drug Chain Worked
- Surinder Kumar was a major cocaine supplier, dealing out half-kilo batches to Yardley and others.
- Jamie Yardley supplied up to quarter-kilo deals to Jordan Lacey.
- Lacey used Joshua Erikson to break down and bag cocaine for street sales.
- Aaron Dolding acted as a runner, delivering to customers across Crawley.
- Lubhaia Ram and Surinder Kumar co-ran the operation, with Mather helping store and transport drugs and cash.
- Ferit Dajcaj, a decorator from London, couriered cocaine and money for the Sussex gang.
Seizures Worth Over £200,000
Police seized cocaine with an estimated street value of £112,000 and heroin worth £25,000. They also recovered £91,000 in cash and other drugs.
The probe continues as defendants face further hearings under the Proceeds of Crime Act for asset confiscation.
Police Promise More Action
Chief Inspector Shane Baker, District Commander for Crawley and Mid-Sussex, vowed: “Conspiracies like this bring nothing but misery and disruption to communities. We will keep disrupting and bringing to justice anyone dealing in illegal drugs.”
