South London Drug Gang Busted and Sentenced
Three crooks from a south London drug network have been locked up after a police crackdown. Croydon Crown Court handed down the sentences this week following a Met Police operation targeting drug production and supply.
Jail Time for Key Players
- Taylor Deacon, 28, of Caterham, was jailed for four years and seven months. He faced charges including possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, cannabis production, electricity theft, and possession of criminal property.
- Frank Thomas, 32, from Mitcham, got five and a half years. He was charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, cannabis production, and electricity theft.
- Sean Ryan, 45, of Belvedere, received a 16-month suspended sentence for cannabis production and electricity theft.
How the Law Caught Them
The crackdown followed intelligence-led raids from September 2017 to April 2018 across multiple south London addresses linked to the gang. Police found three huge cannabis factories and seized a large haul of Class A drugs.
On 3 April 2018, Thomas and Deacon tried to flee during a raid in Coulsdon but got caught. Deacon was found with cash and Class A drugs. Police found more drugs at their homes, plus Deacon was growing cannabis at his place.
Ryan was nabbed on 11 April when police discovered a cannabis factory in a garden outbuilding at his home.
Big Operation, Bigger Profits
Deacon and Thomas were the mastermind duo running the cannabis factories across different sites. Police estimate the group’s annual cannabis output was worth over £200,000 on the streets.
During the probe, officers seized £11,000 worth of Class A drugs and over £10,000 in cash.
Detective Sergeant Damian Hill of the Met’s Trident and Area Crime Command said: “This criminal gang benefitted considerably from their criminality and like many others assumed impunity.
“I am pleased with the court’s results and hope this sends a clear message: We will find and arrest those producing and pushing drugs across London. Dealing drugs ruins lives and brings misery to communities.
“We are determined to dismantle networks like this and bring the bosses to justice.”
