Four members of an organised crime group including two from Bristol have been sentenced for their roles in supplying huge amounts of cocaine in the West Country. 

This comes after an investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit into large scale cocaine supply.

Aaron Jefferies, 31, of Allington Drive, Bristol, led the criminal operation and he was convicted following a four-week trial at Bristol Crown Court last month of conspiracy to supply cocaine alongside Aaron Rafique, age 30, of Milner Gardens, Bristol, and Robbie Shore, age 25, of Williams Close, Melksham. 

Connor Forrester, age 25, of Meadow Road, Melksham, pleaded guilty to the same offence in August 2020.

All four men were sentenced yesterday (24 November). 

Jefferies was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and possession with intent to supply cocaine. He was handed a further 18 month sentence for conspiracy to produce cannabis, making a total prison sentence of 11 years.

Rafique was sentenced to five years and five months, Shore to six-and-a-half-years, and Forrester received a suspended two year sentence and 300 hours community service.

Detective Inspector Charlotte Tucker said: “This group was organising the supply of cocaine on a commercial scale in Wiltshire and beyond. 

"Aaron Jefferies was top of their group, but we all know the harm going on further down the chain.  It’s purely about money for them, but for others it’s exploitation, fear, violence and crime-funded drug use. 

“The sentences handed down reflect the level of their involvement in organised crime.  We will now continue to work with the CPS to ensure it’s not just their freedom that has been taken away, but also the luxury assets their crime has funded.”

When officers searched Jefferies’ Jaguar, they found packaging from at least 38 separate 1kg blocks of cocaine, which would have a wholesale value of £1.1million.  

Ann Hampshire from the South West Complex Casework Unit said: “We supported this successful complex investigation led by our colleagues at the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit.

“The defendants in this case sought to profit from the misery that illegal drugs bring to communities in the South West. 

“Our work does not end today. We are determined to ensure that any assets that this group acquired through their criminality are confiscated.”