Drugs gang jailed after being caught with cocaine
FARNBOROUGH MAN AND TEENAGE BOY AMONG ARRESTED QUARTET
Projects range from improving physical access to community centres/hubs and upgrading existing spaces to services supporting young people with employability skills and wellbeing.
Cllr David Neighbour, the leader of the district council, said: “The work of community groups, voluntary organisations and parish councils helps to make our communities better places to live.
the district council’s priorities to support community hubs and boost young people’s employment and engagement skills. In total, £689,750, has been awarded to community groups including charities, parish councils, not for profit organisations and school initiatives. The amount of grant for one successful project is to be confirmed and will take the amount to more than £700,000.
“I am delighted that we can support these much-needed projects for the residents who need them the most. We received many excellent bids for the funding and, unfortunately, were unable to take them all forward. However, we want to help as many people as we can and will be working with the unsuccessful groups to seek alternative funding for them so they can extend their support services.”
FOUR people, including a man from Farnborough, have been sentenced for their involvement in ‘a large-scale operation to supply cocaine into Surrey.’
On Friday February 2 at Guildford Crown Court, they were jailed for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Alan De Leslie, 45, of Weatherill Road in Guildford, was sentenced to seven-and-a-half-years in prison. Steven Newark, 45, of Farnborough Road, in Farnborough, was sentenced to six years. Tyrone Buggy, 25, of Penrhyn Gardens in Kingston-upon-Thames, was sentenced to three years. A boy from Merton, who was 17 at the time of the offences, pleaded not guilty to the charge but was subsequently found guilty by a jury at trial. He received an 18-month youth rehabilitation order.
The investigation began in February last year after the police executed a proactive warrant at a premises in Chessington Business Centre and discovered Newark, De Leslie and the 17-year-old boy in the act of preparing a large quantity of cocaine in a specialised press. All three were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and taken in for questioning. While officers were at the premises, Buggy unwittingly appeared on site and was also arrested.
The police established that De Leslie and Newark had been using the office for a separate legitimate business and therefore felt it would be the perfect cover for their illegal activities.
Upon seizure and search of the four
In November, £14,000 was awarded to two community groups following a stakeholder engagement exercise, with the bulk of the SPF funding allocated to the mentioned 16 projects. The remaining funds will be used to support businesses and encourage more cycling and walking in the district.
The list of projects receiving the funding can be seen at www.hart. gov.uk/UKSPF defendants’ mobile devices, multiple messages describing the supply of drugs were uncovered and submitted as evidence. The seized drugs were estimated to have a street value of approximately £17,000.
Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Philip Potter, said: “This was a complex investigation into a large-scale operation to supply cocaine into Surrey. Despite attempting to attribute the planning of the criminal activities solely on Buggy, De Leslie was established as the main perpetrator of the drug outfit and it is only right that he received the longest sentence.
“Drugs are a scourge on the community, and we will not tolerate this in our county. If you believe someone is involved in drug dealing, please let us know. Your information is crucial in enabling us to build a comprehensive intelligence picture and to disrupt criminal activities.”