Bristol-based drugs gang members jailed

Members of a Bristol-based gang responsible for the supply of more than 130 kilos of cocaine back in the spring of 2020 have been jailed for a total of 56 years.

One trip from the group saw drugs with a value of more than 1 million pounds being transported by hire car into the city.

Their actions have been described by the CPS as damaging to local communities, with all four handed jail terms ranging from 11 to 18 years, following a sentencing today (15 March) at Winchester Crown Court for a conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Kai Williams, James Cox, Benjamin Fry and Luther Takawira were members of an organised gang bringing the drugs into Bristol and arranging their onward supply.

• Kai Williams arranged collection and delivery of the cocaine and was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment
• Benjamin Fry was involved in carrying out the collection and delivery - including the transportation of 30kg of cocaine, with a potential value over £1m, from Birmingham to Bristol on 4 May 2022 - and was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment.
• James Cox and Luther Takawira couriered cocaine and Cox also acted as the accountant for the conspiracy. Cox was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment and Takawira to 15 years.

Andrew Pritchard of the CPS said: “This prosecution saw the dismantling of a group bringing large quantities of cocaine into Bristol. One trip saw cocaine with a value of more than £1m being transported by hire car into the city.

“Groups such as this are reliant on the use of electronic communications to facilitate their supply of drugs. The recovery and analysis of these communications was key in building the prosecution’s case.

“The illegal trade in drugs affects communities across the South West. The CPS is working closely with our partners in the police to disrupt and shut down these illegal networks, bring those involved to justice, and end the damage they cause in our communities.”

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