Three jailed for more than 30 years after £6.6m cocaine seizure
The drugs were found hidden at a storage compound
Three drug dealers have been jailed for a total of more than 30 years after the largest single seizure of cocaine ever made by Hampshire Police.
£6.6m worth of the drug along with a handgun, ammunition and amphetamines were found at a storage compound at Newtown, north of Fareham, in October 2019.
Portsmouth Crown Court heard how a routine stop, which uncovered four kilos of the drug in a vehicle, led officers to the lockup at Clamp Farm.
Lee Matthews, 37, of Field Way in Denmead, was sentenced to fifteen years and three months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs.
Jason Jay Stanley, 20, of Passingham Walk in Waterlooville, was sentenced to seven years and six months for conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs after pleading guilty.
Robert David Hey, 41, of Upper Arundel Street in Portsmouth, was sentenced to seven years and six months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs after entering a guilty plea.
Detective Constable Edward Wiggans said: "This investigation has identified just one of the tiers of a large scale organised crime group.
"These people were likely to have been promised lavish lifestyles and financial security for their families.
"They now face lengthy prison sentences, taking them away from their families.
"Those at the top of this group will continue to make promises, and Hampshire Constabulary will continue to investigate and take action against criminals."
"An enormous amount of drugs"
Senior prosecutor Andrew Gubbels, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "We worked with Hampshire Constabulary to ensure we had all the evidence we needed to prosecute these people and present a compelling case based on an extensive examination of mobile phone data and messages.
"This included evidence from encrypted mobile phones and DNA evidence linking Stanley and Matthews to the storage and ‘cutting’ of drugs.
"We also had evidence demonstrating that Hey was instrumental in arranging the installation of hides and the couriering of drugs all over the UK.
"The weight of this evidence meant that they had no choice but to plead guilty.
"All three played significant roles in an organised crime group.
"We are pleased to have disrupted the supply of an enormous amount of drugs which would have otherwise found its way in to our community."