TVP investigation puts 6 crime gang members behind bars

Following a significant investigation by Thames Valley Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, six men have been convicted of drug supply offences across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Wiltshire.

Patrick Gray, aged 44, and Mohammed Ali, aged 50, were found guilty of a count each of conspiring to supply heroin, conspiring to supply cocaine and a count of participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group (OCG).

While Lewis Court, aged 36, Richard Gray, aged 32, Jamie Shepherd-Smith, aged 33, and William White, aged 35, had earlier pleaded guilty to the same offences.

Between 31 March 2020 and 26 May 2021, the offenders conspired with persons unknown to supply large quantities of drugs across the Thames Valley and Wiltshire.

Operation Sedate was an investigation launched into the OCG, run by Richard and Patrick Gray following intelligence received that the brothers were involved in the supply of class A drugs.

The investigation that followed identified that Richard Gray and others travelled to Lancashire to purchase drugs.

These controlled substances were then returned to Oxfordshire where they were stored at the home addresses of other members of the OCG and at a rural farm location.

While at these locations, the drugs were prepared to be sold on to customers across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Wiltshire.

Following the execution of warrants in May 2021, more than 2.8kg of cocaine and 18.3 grams of crack cocaine were recovered, along with cash totalling more than £158,000.

As a result of the warrants, the six men were charged on 27 May 2021.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Gavin Toney, of the Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: 

“Those convicted brought large quantities of class A drugs into the Thames Valley with the intention of flooding the Thames Valley with them.

“This was a significant investigation and as a result, six members of this OCG have now been convicted and are likely to spend significant spells in prison as a result.

“The supply of drugs in our communities causes untold harm, and tackling this criminality is one of Thames Valley Police’s top priorities.

“We have removed six major players from our communities as a result of this investigation, but we will never tire in bringing dealers, and those who bring drugs into the Thames Valley, to justice."

The six men will appear again at Oxford Crown Court on 25 March for sentencing.