Two men have been jailed for drug offences in Bristol.

Charles Orieh, 37, from Staplehill Road, Fishponds, Bristol and Ogu Oguguo, 40, from Meadow Close, Chatham in Kent, both admitted charges of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of criminal property.

They were sentenced on Monday, January 12 at Bristol Crown Court – both Orieh and Oguguo will serve 53 months in prison.

During an operation by Zephyr – the South West regional organised crime unit – officers targeted Orieh following intelligence that he was supplying large amounts of Class A drugs in the Bristol area. During periods of surveillance, officers noted that Orieh was visiting rural locations and parks for short periods of time. They suspected that he was burying his drugs in order to evade arrest and visit the stash points whenever he needed to re-supply.

On June 30 2014, Orieh was observed to attend another suspected stash site in Vassels Park, Fishponds. Surveillance operatives saw Orieh and Oguguo walk towards a quiet wooded area and enter the undergrowth with a carrier bag but exit empty handed. Both men then travelled to Orieh’s home in Staplehill Road.

Officers searched the undergrowth with specially trained Tri-Force drugs dogs and uncovered 3 plastic carrier bags, which contained 853 grams of Crack Cocaine with a street value of £42,000. Surveillance was maintained upon both males and when Oguguo left the address, the Zephyr team arrested him. They entered and searched Orieh’s home. Oguguo was found to be in possession of in excess of £10,000 in cash.

DI Taylor from Zephyr said “I am pleased with the sentences these men have received for the serious drug offences they have committed.

"The supply of illegal drugs will not be tolerated in the South West and we will prevent anyone from making money from this activity which causes misery to the lives of others within our communities. Working closely with Avon and Somerset Police has led to the dismantling of this Organised Crime Group operating in our towns and cities”