Four members of a Staffordshire organised crime gang have been locked up for dealing heroin, cocaine, and cannabis. Their criminal antics also involved a daring drone conspiracy to sneak drugs and phones into HMP Garth near Leyland, Lancashire.
Massive Sting Cracks Drug Ring
The gang supplied drugs across north Staffordshire between September 2023 and May 2025. Their downfall came thanks to a police investigation led by the child exploitation team. In May last year, coordinated raids led to the arrests of four men and the seizure of drugs, mobiles, and cash.
Sentences Handed Down at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court
- Ryan Porter, 28, Kidsgrove: Six years four months plus an additional eight years concurrent for conspiring to supply cocaine, MDMA, and cannabis.
- Benjamin Stanfield, 25, Kidsgrove: Five years one month plus six and a half years concurrent for drug supply and attempting to smuggle prohibited items into prison.
- Joshua Stanfield, 22, Kidsgrove: Three years three months plus two years three months concurrent for drug conspiracy and prison smuggling plot.
- Shea Rafferty, 23, Norton, Stoke-on-Trent: Three years four months plus four years concurrently for conspiring to supply heroin, cocaine, and cannabis.
Police Message: No Tolerance on Child Exploitation
Detective Inspector James Sproson said: “I welcome the sentences and hope they warn others involved in illegal drug sales. We identified a number of children involved in the supply and addressed exploitation concerns. Child exploitation of any kind will not be tolerated in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Our dedicated teams pursue anyone exploiting children through crime.”
This operation is part of Operation Target, Staffordshire Police’s tough campaign against serious organised crime, including county lines drug trafficking, illegal firearms, knife crime, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation.
Speak Up Against Drug Crime
If you spot drug dealing in your community, don’t stay silent. Report it:
- Call Staffordshire Police on 101
- Use Live Chat on the Staffordshire Police website
- Or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
