A fifteenth member of a major drugs gang has been sentenced, bringing their total jail time to more than 90 years.
Multiple arrests were made as Sussex Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) led an investigation in the wide-scale supply of Class A and B substances in the county.
A number of warrants and stop checks were executed, and cocaine and cannabis with a combined street value of £480,000 to £600,000 – and around £157,795 cash – were seized.
The targeted activity was made possible with the support of the Community Investigations Team, the Economic Crime Unit, the Specialist Enforcement Unit, the Tactical Enforcement Unit, the Roads Policing Unit, the Tactical Firearms Unit and numerous Neighbourhood Policing Teams.
Investigations revealed the mass distribution and supply of substances had taken place in the Worthing area between March 2020 and June 2021.
During this time, officers identified two local Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) who were purchasing large quantities of cocaine and cannabis from other OCGs in London, Luton and elsewhere, and selling them on for profit locally.
Through painstaking investigations and working with partners, police were able to identify a number of suspects.
Fourteen were previously convicted and are currently serving time in prison.
Fifteenth member Terrence White, 34, of Mill Road, Worthing, is the latest to join them, having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine. At Lewes Crown Court on 31 May, he was sentenced to four years and 10 months’ imprisonment.
One of the previous defendants – Ergest Tarja, 31, of no fixed address – was sentenced to 10 years and six months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to supply cocaine and being concerned in the supply of cocaine. However, his sentence was increased by a further two years and six months following a successful ruling by the Court of Appeal.
This takes the current jail time for those involved in the investigation, known as Operation Smith, to 90 years and four months.
Detective Constable Jon Freeman, of SOCU, said:
“This is a remarkable result which demonstrates our commitment to protecting our communities and bringing offenders to justice.
“However, our work doesn’t stop here. Our enquiries are ongoing to determine if anyone else linked to these Organised Crime Groups has committed offences, and if so, we will hold them to account.”
Men Sentenced For Robbery And Offences In Brighton
Identity Appeal After Altercation At Pub In Worthing
Crawley Man Jailed For Breaching Sexual Risk Order
Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Crawley
Bexhill Woman Jailed For Manslaughter Of 18-Month-Old Boy
Major Disruption At Gatwick Airport As Runway Closes
WINNERS UPDATE: Two Young Sussex Game Designers In Line For BAFTA Award
What's On In Sussex? Our Pick Of Events, Festivals, Exhibitions & Gigs In 2024
Brighton & Hove Cabinet Approves £30m Plan For 183 Flats With Affordable Rents
Gang Sentenced For £24.5 Million Drugs Importation Through Newhaven