Skip navigation

Gloucestershire Business News

Criminal gang in £1million drugs conspiracy

Eleven men have been sentenced for their part in what police are calling "a high value drugs conspiracy" involving £1 million of cocaine, cash and a sawn-off shotgun.

An investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary's Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) saw officers seize two kilograms of cocaine and find evidence of a further 24kg valued at £1 million, as well as £100,000 in cash.

Officers believed that the organised crime group responsible for the conspiracy was being led by 34-year-old Andrew Venna of Partridge Close in Gloucester and supported by 34-year-old Matthew Cornwall of Discovery Road in Gloucester.

Venna was sentenced to 12 years and nine months, including another sentence of nine years which will run concurrently and Cornwall to 10 years, including another two sentences of eight and nine years which will also run concurrently.

The conspiracy involved London men 39-year-old Granit Nanushi and 28-year-old Orsid Cela, who were sentenced to eight years and three years respectively for co-ordinating the supply of the drugs to Venna and Cornwall.

It's believed that the drugs were then sold to Stroud based Aaron Baker, 31, who would store and distribute the drugs to a small number of men. He was sentenced to seven years and three months.

Daniel Payne, 22 and of Moseley Crescent in Stroud, James Dawkins, 39 and of Butterrow Hill in Stroud, Ryan Reese, 24 and of Finlay Road in Gloucester and Paul Reeves, 28 and of Lodgemore Lane in Stroud were sentenced after pleading guilty to receiving the drugs before selling them locally.

They received sentences of three years and six months, six years and nine months, one year and nine months and four years respectively.

Leroy Slater, 39 and of Wellington Street in Gloucester was sentenced to nine years and two months after a quarter of a kilograms of cocaine was found on his possession last year and Edward Bell, 44 and of Badminton Road in Gloucester was sentenced to three years after being found to be the drug tester of the group.

The men were sentenced at Bristol Crown Court today, Tuesday 21 May, for a total of 69 years.

Detective Inspector Ian Fletcher said: "I hope that these sentences will send out an extremely strong message to anyone who plans on committing similar offences and that people will now understand that we take serious and organised crime very seriously.

"As the judge commented, the supply of class A drugs does have a high reward but it also has a very high risk at the end of it.

"We would like to remind drug dealers that you are not untouchable or above the law as we, the police, will gather the evidence that we need to secure a conviction".

Operation Solero sought to develop intelligence around serious and organised crimes groups operating in Gloucestershire; to disrupt this activity and to obtain successful prosecutions for offenders linked to the identified criminality.

A sawn off shotgun was recovered in a garage block connected to the OCG. Police were unable to link this to any of the men.

Anyone with information regarding the use or ownership of the firearm is asked to contact police by calling 101 or using the anonymous Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.

Related Articles

Versarien's revenues halve and losses rise Image

Versarien's revenues halve and losses rise

Forest of Dean-based advanced engineering group Versarien saw its revenues halve last year.

Gloucestershire company launches same-day service Image

Gloucestershire company launches same-day service

Gloucester-based Freemans Event Partners has launched a brand-new around-the-clock foodservice logistics offer.

Gloucester business expands at Elmbridge Court Image

Gloucester business expands at Elmbridge Court

Just three offices are now available for rent at Elmbridge Court, following the latest letting.

Cirencester town centre to deliver improved parking Image

Cirencester town centre to deliver improved parking

Better parking and traffic control improvements for Cirencester residents and businesses.

Copyright 2024 Moose Partnership Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any content is strictly forbidden without prior permission.