Spice supply investigation sees crime group jailed for over 30 years
It follows an investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit
Last updated 8th Apr 2024
An organised crime group that imported and exported vast amounts of Spice – and even produced it in a Swindon garage - has been sentenced today (Friday 5 April) at Bristol Crown Court following an investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).
Quyen To, 42, of William Morris Way in Swindon, was the central figure in the group responsible for the import, export and production of class B synthetic cannabinoids, known as Spice. He previously pleaded guilty to the charges, was remanded in custody, and today has been sentenced to 16 years behind bars.
The investigation began in the summer of 2020 when UK Border Force intercepted 4kg of Spice crystals destined for properties owned by or associated with Quyen To. The seizure of these packages resulted in warrants at his home address in Swindon and at Lightning Road in Calne. At his home, officers from SWROCU uncovered what can only be described as a drug production factory in the garage.
Paraphernalia associated with the production of Spice, including marshmallow leaf, rat poison, and sweet flavourings, were in the garage. Quyen To’s nephew, Rio Nguyen, who was just 17 at the time, was arrested at the scene. He was wearing a respiratory mask and preparing the drugs for onward supply. Also inside the garage were black bags full of prepared Spice ready to be exported.
In total, 40 kilos of class B drugs were seized from Quyen To’s home, as well as computers, phones and receipts which, upon examination, evidenced that he had been distributing a large number of packages containing Spice around the world.
Quyen To was distributing drugs in two ways: for commercial scale supply abroad to countries including Kuwait and Nigeria; and smaller deals via an online platform where he would distribute the drugs across the UK.
As the investigation developed, SWROCU investigators were able to prove Quyen To had been aided by a network of friends, family and acquaintances for many years: his estranged wife Kati To, 42, from Calne in Wiltshire; his sister Vicky To, 40 from London; and Michael Clarke, 58, from London.
Vicky To, Michael Clarke, and Rio Nguyen previously pleaded not guilty to any involvement but were found guilty by a jury at Bristol Crown Court on 9 December last year.
Clarke, who received parcels containing Spice from China on behalf of Quyen To, was found guilty of importation and conspiracy to supply class B drugs and handed seven years. Vicky To was found guilty of importation, exportation and supply of class B drugs and was sentenced to six years. Quyen To’s nephew, Rio, who was packing and sending drugs abroad was given two years and two months for exportation and supply of class B drugs. Kati To, who made payments abroad on behalf of her estranged husband, previously pleaded guilty to money laundering and received a ten-month sentence suspended for 12 months as well as 40 hours of unpaid work.
Quyen To
Kati To
Michael Clarke
Rio Ngyen
Vicky To
DI Claire Smith from SWROCU said: “This has been a lengthy investigation with officers having to make significant digital and financial enquiries both in the UK and overseas.
“Quyen To and his accomplices have shown utter disregard for human life having manufactured and distributed vast quantities of Spice around the world. The activities and criminality of this group were driven by greed and financial gain and I am pleased to see significant prison sentences have been handed down.
“SWROCU will continue to relentlessly disrupt serious and organised crime and the convictions in this case should act as a clear deterrent to those pursuing such criminal activity.”
James Foster, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS Wessex, said: “We worked closely with investigators to ensure the members of this organised crime group were brought to justice.
“This was a complex case involving the importation and onward supply of synthetic cannabinoids – or Spice – worth millions of pounds. The prosecution successfully presented significant amounts of digital evidence, financial records and cryptocurrency data to reveal the sheer scale of this group’s international operations.
“Drug supply has a corrosive impact upon society and destroys lives. I hope the sentences imposed provide a deterrent to those engaging in these illegal endeavours.”