Southampton Gang Boss Stanley Woods Gets Nearly 7 Years Behind Bars
Stanley Woods, 21, and 17 other gang members were finally sentenced for running a nasty drug empire smuggling cannabis and Class A drugs into Southampton. Between June 2022 and January 2023, the gang received a combined 33 years and eight months in prison for crimes committed between April 2019 and December 2020.
Massive Bust: Over £500,000 of Cannabis and Illegal Weapons Seized
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Serious and Organised Crime Unit cracked this case wide open starting in April 2019. Teaming up with Border Force and other agencies, police uncovered a huge smuggling operation using various postal firms to bring cannabis into Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and Dorset.
- More than 58 kilos of cannabis worth £500,000+
- £38,000+ cash and over £50,000 in cryptocurrency seized
- Five antique firearms plus knives, crossbows, machetes, and more confiscated
How Woods Ran the Drug Ring From Southampton to Overseas
Between 2019 and 2020, Woods imported drugs from Europe, Canada, and the US. Packages were sent to him and associates, including partner Jade Stubbs and her brother Luke, before being distributed locally. Cannabis was the main drug, but MDMA and cocaine were also sold. Runners moved the drugs while profits were laundered into Bitcoin to cover tracks.
Police seized Woods’ phone during a 2019 raid, exposing his network and sparking further arrests. Among those caught were Daniel Sivyour, Tyler Williams, and Zak Blake, who were stopped with large amounts of cannabis and weapons following police pursuits.
Law Change After Police Find Guns Loophole
Woods had been exploiting a loophole by buying antique guns legally and modifying them into working firearms. These weapons were handed out to gang members, some as young as 15, armed with guns, crossbows, and knives to protect their territory.
Police flagged this danger to the National Ballistics Intelligence Service, prompting a government crackdown. Since September 2021, owning certain antique firearms without a licence is illegal – closing the loophole that fueled violent crime spikes in Southampton.
Judge Praises Police, Slams Drug Epidemic
His Honour Judge Rowland blasted Woods as the clear kingpin. He praised DC Swift and his team for sifting through over a million lines of data to break the gang.
“Little need be said about the misery caused by the supply of illegal drugs. This activity generates further crime with the interaction between criminal gangs.”
Detective Constable Swift added:
“Thanks to the hard work of our officers, we’ve dismantled a gang that caused huge drug-related harm and violence in Southampton. Woods is behind bars, and the city is safer. This case exposed how organised crime exploits vulnerable people and used a firearm loophole that has now been closed.”
Sentences Handed Down to Gang Members
- Stanley Woods: 6 years 8 months plus ordered to repay £774,655 made through crime
- Daniel Sivyour: 6 years 6 months for dealing cannabis and cocaine
- Edward Nunes: 3 years for cocaine and MDMA supply
- Stacey Burton: 3 years 3 months for cannabis and Class A drugs
- Zak Blake: 18 months for cannabis and Class A drug conspiracy
- Tyler Williams: 2 years for cannabis supply, Class A drugs, and dangerous driving (also banned from driving)
- Others: Suspended sentences and community orders handed out depending on involvement
Police Urge Public to Report Gang Activity
Anyone with info on drug crime or illegal weapons should contact Hampshire and Isle of Wight police on 101, report online, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
