TWO MEN from Buckfastleigh were among a total of 13 people sentenced to more than 80 years and five months in prison for their roles in organised crime conspiracies that flooded Devon with millions of pounds’ worth of illegal drugs.

The investigation - named Operation Midriver - saw officers carry out painstaking analysis of thousands of communications, a review of 38 mobile phones and more than 50,000 messages, financial investigations and several interventions to bring down the criminal network.

Among them were David Barnes, 76, of Plymouth Road, Buckfastleigh, who was sentenced to 45 months and Finley Gribble, 24, of Oaklands Park, Buckfastleigh, sentenced to four and a half years and three months for the possession of a lock knife.

During the investigating, police found drugs were stored, adulterated and supplied from locations including a storage unit in Ashburton.

The defendants, who have been convicted of various charges relating to the supply and production of Class A and Class B drugs, were sentenced over various dates.

They include individuals from Paignton, Torquay, Dittisham and Dagenham.

During the various court hearings, barristers described how the initial conspiracy was in operation between June 2023 and June 2024 and involved the supply of Class A and B drugs to South Devon from London and elsewhere.

The conspiracy was organised locally by Edward Stoddart, 38, Dittisham, who was sentenced to 12 years plus a further six months for the illegal possession of a mobile phone in prison but involved the other defendants who each played their roles in the arrangement, transportation, storage, and ongoing supply of these drugs.

On19 August 2023 Stoddart was stopped driving his Audi TT at Middlemoor, Exeter. While an officer was talking to Stoddart, Sloan took a carrier bag from the footwell and placed it in a rucksack. Sloan worked for Stoddart, supplying drugs on his behalf.

Sloan then attempted to leave the scene by running though police headquarters, before being detained nearby.

The rucksack was located by Police Dog Floyd and found to contain amphetamine and heroin.

Stoddart was bailed but stopped again in October 2023. Enquiries led police to a caravan rented by Stoddart’s then partner accessed by a key card found in Stoddart’s possession.

Inside the caravan, officers found Stoddart’s passport and birth certificate as well as 4.5kg of cocaine, 474.62g of heroin, large amounts of cutting agent, 672.59g of MDMA and 659.17g of spice among other paraphernalia, drug-related items and Post Office receipts.

The drugs had a combined value in excess of £400,000.

Examination of Stoddart’s phones then led to the identification of a number of others within the conspiracy through call records and messages.

Further search warrants located further significant quantities of Class A and B drugs.

Detective Chief Inspector Adam Worth, from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: ‘This investigation demonstrates the determination of Devon and Cornwall Police and our partners to disrupt and dismantle organised criminal networks operating across the South West and beyond.

‘This was a substantial and complex investigation involving detectives and a wide range of specialist policing teams, including intelligence, covert policing, digital investigations and financial investigators.

‘Their collective efforts, alongside our close partnership with the CPS Complex Case Unit, ensured those responsible were brought to justice.

‘I hope this case serves as a warning to anyone considering involvement in the supply of controlled drugs, particularly young people who may be attracted by the perceived rewards.

‘The reality is that organised crime causes significant harm to communities and those involved risk lengthy prison sentences, the loss of their liberty and lasting consequences for their future.’

CPS Complex Case Unit Specialist Prosecutor Ann Hampshire and Senior Crown Prosecutor Charlotte Ream said: ‘We worked closely with the police on this complex and wide-ranging investigation to ensure that the criminal networks were dismantled and brought to justice.

‘This was a significant operation which also involved the importation of a large quantity of cannabis into the United Kingdom.

‘The evidence presented by the prosecution demonstrated that this organised crime group played a central role in arranging for the drugs to be shipped from North America and delivered into this country.

‘The quantity of cannabis involved, valued at more than £1 million, was clearly intended for onward distribution and would have generated substantial criminal profits.

‘Further action will be taken to trace and confiscate the monetary proceeds of these crimes.

‘The Crown Prosecution Service will continue to work closely with investigators to build strong cases against those responsible.’