Massive Ketamine Bust as Drug Gang Caught Red-Handed
Police shut down a high-stakes drug operation that used encrypted chats to organise multi-kilo deals. The haul? A whopping 360 kilograms of ketamine with a street value soaring up to £4.5 million, destined to fuel violence on UK streets.
Sting Operation in Ashford Nets Two Suspects
On 25 August 2022, officers spotted 58-year-old Gary Parson from Ashford unload large boxes into James Smith’s car in Birmingham. The 33-year-old Smith was caught red-handed too. Both men were arrested and found with 150kg of ketamine inside the crates. They now face serious charges for possession with intent to supply class B drugs, landing behind bars.
International Police Team-Up Uncovers More Drugs
The investigation didn’t stop there. Police tracked a shipment camouflaged as car parts, working with Courier Company and the Netherlands National Police. This led to the seizure of another 210 kilograms of ketamine in transit, all part of the criminal network’s drug pipeline.
Masterminds Behind Bars After EncroChat Takedown
Specialist officers identified 56-year-old Mark Brydges from Surrey and 41-year-old Kelvin Homewood from Chertsey as coordinators using the encrypted service EncroChat to plan deals. Brydges, known by the handle “#Swanny,” was also convicted for supplying cocaine. Both men face lengthy prison sentences alongside their co-conspirators.
Detective Inspector Damian Hill, Metropolitan Police Specialist Crime Command: “My team prevented 150 kilograms of ketamine hitting London’s streets, stopping further drug-fuelled violence. We’re committed to dismantling these serious criminal networks to protect communities.”
Sentences Dished Out for Drug Ring Members
- Kelvin Homewood, Little Green Lane, Chertsey: 7 years for conspiracy to supply 150kg ketamine (Sentenced 6 June 2023, Isleworth Crown Court)
- Gary Parson, Pike Crescent, Ashford & James Smith, Rushmead Grove, Birmingham: 5 years 3 months each for possession with intent to supply 150kg ketamine (Snaresbrook Crown Court)
- Mark Brydges, Beechtree Avenue, Surrey: 9 years 4 months for supplying cocaine and conspiring to supply 150kg ketamine (Sentenced 20 October)
Police vow to crack down on encrypted drug communication networks to protect local communities from the devastating effects of drug crime and violence.
