Drugs Gang Busted and Jailed after Massive Police Sting
Four Men Nabbed in Huge Drug Crime Crackdown
Four men have been slammed with a combined 35 years behind bars after a major drugs investigation. Dean Criscuolo (35), Christopher Brooks (31), Kerran Boylan (32), and Ben Dalton (33) were sentenced today (31 May) at Guildford Crown Court. All pleaded guilty to numerous drug offences earlier this year.
Operation Venetic Leads to Major Bust
The gang was caught thanks to Operation Venetic, the National Crime Agency’s blitz on encrypted communications platform EncroChat. After cracking the code, the NCA handed key intelligence to Surrey Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, who identified the network dealing drugs across Surrey, Sussex, and London.
Kingpin Criscuolo Runs Illegal Empire from Godstone
A raid on an address linked to Criscuolo in Godstone uncovered phones and around £500 in cash. He was found to be the ringleader, orchestrating wholesale drug deals to other dealers, including Kerran Boylan. At Boylan’s Oxted home, police found large amounts of white powder and £1,780 cash.
Further sleuthing brought Ben Dalton into the ring as another dealer for Criscuolo. Christopher Brooks was found to be responsible for mixing cocaine to bulk up supplies.
Harsh Sentences for Drug Dealers
- Dean Criscuolo – 13 years and 6 months
- Kerran Boylan – 7 years and 8 months
- Christopher Brooks – 7 years and 1 month
- Ben Dalton – 6 years and 9 months
Detective Constable Arun Sharma, lead investigator, said: “Operation Venetic gave us the crucial break to uncover serious organised crime, including this drugs ring. These men, especially Criscuolo, made thousands exploiting vulnerable users while pretending to be respectable tradesmen like barbers and electricians.”
He added, “This is just one of many cases Surrey Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit is tackling to fight drug crime in the region.”
