Organised Crime Group sentenced for million-pound drugs conspiracy

A group of 13 men and women have been sentenced for supplying £1.5million worth of Class A and B drugs.

Over 17 and 18 July, they appeared at Exeter Crown Court where they were sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy to supply drugs from London into Devon & Cornwall.

The Organised Crime Group trafficked 390kg of cannabis and 4kg of cocaine into the region between June 2021 and August 2022 and then supplied it through a network of local dealers across the two counties.

12 members of the group pleaded guilty to the drugs supply offences; one man was found guilty at trial in February 2024.

They all appeared at court over two days where Judge Evans sentenced them to a total of 27 years in prison, with some receiving suspended sentences and community orders.

The investigation, named Operation Musical, begin in June 2021 after officers from the Proactive Unit in Exeter identified intelligence about drugs being supplied from the Sidmouth area. The team spent months tracking phone data, building up the picture of the groups operation before carrying out a series of warrants in August 2022 where they made multiple arrests and seized drugs, cash, and other assets.

Officers identified the lead conspirators as Philip Fallows, 36, from Sidmouth, and Jamie Chapman, 33, from Hertfordshire, who were orchestrating and coordinating the supply of drugs from London to Sidmouth, where Fallows then arranged for its onward distribution.

The two had trusted couriers within the group who facilitated the movement of drugs within Devon and Cornwall – this included Chapman’s Dad, Paul Chapman, 67, who would drive to London and return a short time later with the illegal haul.

They also relied on Matthew Topham, 31, and Jack Culip, 24, from Camelford, who became trusted associates of Fallows and were key contacts for the distribution of the drugs in Cornwall.

Fallows not only arranged the supply of the contraband into Devon, receiving up to 19kg of cannabis to his home address at a time, but he also then used encrypted messaging services to liaise with the group and arrange for them to collect it and sell it on to users around the force area.

On 31 August 2022, officers raided multiple houses and seized cash, assets including cars, and drugs including 19kg of amphetamine in Philip Fallows second address.

The group were arrested and later charged with drugs supply offences. Over two days, the group appeared in the dock where Judge Evans passed sentence for their roles.

Four men have been sentenced for conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis and money laundering:

• Jamie Chapman, 33, of Old North Road, Hertfordshire was sentenced to six years and ten months.
• Matthew Topham, 31, of Willowbank, Camelford was sentenced to four years and ten months.
• Jack Culip, 24, of Willowbank, Camelford was sentenced to two years and nine months.
• Philip Fallows, 36, of Cotmaton Road, Sidmouth is additionally  sentenced for possession with intent to supply Amphetamine. He was jailed for seven years and eight months.

Specialist financial officers will now seek to recover and confiscate assets from the above four males gained from the illicit activities, under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The trusted network of associates assisted with couriering and distributing the drugs across the force area, they were also sentenced for their part in the operation.

Kelly Thomas, 42, Butts Road, Ottery St Mary was sentenced to a two year and six-month community order for conspiracy to supply cocaine. An additional eight associates were sentenced for conspiracy to supply cannabis:

• Damien Carnell, 38, of Manstone Avenue, Sidmouth, was sentenced to two years and seven months.
• Paul Chapman, 67, of South Lawn, Sidford, was sentenced to three years and three months.
• Zoe Mardon, 49, of Waters Road, Salisbury, was sentenced to an 18-month community order.
• Tia Pryor-Howard, 26, of Vaughan Road, Exeter, was given a suspended sentence of one year and nine months.
• Gary Hedgeland, 31, of SunnyHill, Ottery St Mary, was given a suspended sentence of one year and eight months.
• Scott Baylis, 44, of Albion Street, Exmouth, was found guilty at trial. He was sentenced to an 18-month community order.
• Jonathan Keene, 35, of Mill Street, Ottery St Mary, was sentenced to a 12-month community order.
• Matthew Harris, 47, of Albion Street, Exmouth, was sentenced to an 18-month community order.

George Fallows, 40, of Mill Street, Ottery St Mary, is due to be sentenced in August.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Guy Biggar said: “This was a well-orchestrated operation which facilitated the supply of a significant number of drugs into Devon and Cornwall.

“This investigation began thanks to intelligence and information being reported by the public to police, which allowed officers to start tracking and monitoring the groups messages and movements, in order to take action.

“County Lines drug supply into our communities is not something that we will tolerate, and we will be persistent in pursuing those who seek to bring this harm.

“As this case goes to show, the information reported to us by the public and partner agencies is hugely important.

“I urge anyone who has any information the supply or use of drugs in their community to report it to us so that we can continue making disruptions and bring offenders to justice.”

Information about suspected illegal activity can be reported to police online or by calling 101.

You can also report anonymously to CrimeStoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111.