Devon Drug Gang Busted: Over £500k in Drugs and Cash Seized
A major drug conspiracy has been smashed after a police crackdown in Devon landed four criminals behind bars. The gang, operating from the quiet village of Ide near Exeter, was caught with thousands of pounds worth of Class A drugs, cash, and even firearms.
Family Duo at the Heart of the Operation
- Lester Purdy, 66, of Station Road, Ide, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and possession of MDMA and cannabis. He was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison.
- Jake Purdy, 25, also from Station Road, Ide, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, receiving three years and four months behind bars.
Another key player, Julian Eslick, 46, from Exeter, was sentenced to four years after admitting to conspiracy charges. Meanwhile, Trevor Forbes, 58, from Oxford, was jailed for one year for money laundering.
Police Storm Property, Seize Massive Haul
The probe kicked off in early 2020 when officers raided a property in Ide on May 11. The bust uncovered:
- £74,000 in cash at Exeter Motorway Services
- 2kg of cocaine buried in local woods – worth around £200,000 on the street
- Firearms, including two deactivated guns
- Luxury vehicles like a Range Rover and Jaguar
Further searches revealed several lockups linked to the gang. Since February 2019, investigators discovered around £260,000 had been laundered through the operation.
Detective Inspector Praises Team and Community
“This large pre-planned firearms operation led to the arrest of two Purdy family members who were caught with 2kg of cocaine, £74,000 cash, and encrypted phones,” said Detective Inspector Dave Egan.
“The operation sent shockwaves through the otherwise quiet village of Ide, but the community has been very supportive throughout.”
“Our team has worked tirelessly for over six months to build this case and bring these offenders to justice. Even during Covid lockdowns, Devon and Cornwall Police remain committed to tackling serious drug crimes.”
This haul and jail sentences send a powerful message – Devon’s streets won’t be a playground for organised crime.
