Gang Busted Moving £4.5M Worth of Ketamine Using EncroChat
A slick drug ring used encrypted chat apps to mastermind huge ketamine deals worth millions. Police caught them red-handed unloading boxes stuffed with stash disguised as car parts.
150kg of Ketamine Seized in Police Sting
On 25 August 2022, cops spotted 58-year-old Gary Parson from Ashford meet 33-year-old James Smith from Birmingham. Parson was seen loading large boxes into Smith’s car. Both men were stopped and searched, revealing a whopping 150 kilograms of ketamine inside.
The haul’s wholesale value was £900,000 to £1.2 million – with a potential street price hitting £3 million to £4.5 million. This massive drug supply would have flooded towns, sparking violence and devastation.
Further Raids Uncover 210kg More Ketamine
Police dug deeper and found more boxes in transit, cleverly hidden as car parts. Working with courier firms and Dutch police, officers intercepted another 210 kilograms of ketamine en route to the UK.
Specialist officers discovered 56-year-old Mark Brydges from Surrey and 41-year-old Kelvin Homewood from Chertsey were coordinating the supply via the encrypted app EncroChat.
Mastermind ‘Swanny’ Behind Bars Alongside Major Players
Using high-tech policing tools, Met officers smashed this organised crime gang. Brydges, aka “#Swanny” on EncroChat, was charged and convicted for pushing kilograms of cocaine as well as orchestrating the ketamine deal.
Detective Inspector Damian Hill, Met Police Specialist Crime Command:
“My team stopped 150 kilograms of ketamine hitting streets across London and the UK, preventing more drugs-related violence. We’re committed to taking down serious criminals and protecting communities.”
The Met is rebuilding trust with communities by involving local officers in fighting crime and anti-social behaviour — striving for swift, satisfying responses to victims and stronger neighbourhood safety.
Sentences Handed Down
- Kelvin Homewood (Little Green Lane, Chertsey) – 7 years for conspiracy to supply 150kg ketamine (convicted June 2023, Isleworth Crown Court).
- Gary Parson (Pike Crescent, Ashford) & James Smith (Rushmead Grove, Birmingham) – 5 years 3 months each after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply 150kg ketamine (Snaresbrook Crown Court).
- Mark Brydges (Beechtree Avenue, Surrey) – 9 years 4 months for supplying cocaine and conspiracy to supply 150kg ketamine (pleaded guilty October 2023).
