A drugs gang has been jailed for a total of almost 50 years following a police operation to crack down on drug dealing in High Wycombe.

Anthony Anderson, of Spring Gardens Road, Oliver Thomas, of Brambleside, Harrison Green, of Green Street, all High Wycombe, and Akash Patel, of Perrin Road, Wembley and Timothy Phelps, Knights Close, Eaton Bray, Bedfordshire, have been thrown behind bars for running a drugs network out of High Wycombe.

It comes after more than 250 officers from TVP and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) executed warrants in High Wycombe, Aylesbury and Wembley as part of operation Stronghold in July last year.

They seized £45,000 in cash and 3kg of cocaine, as well as cannabis, cannabis resin, ecstasy and amphetamine, during the raids.

The court heard Anderson was the ringleader of the gang, which was involved in the supply of “high purity” Class A drugs, cocaine and money laundering in the High Wycombe area, with links to Wembley.

It was said the criminal group had “well established” itself within the Buckinghamshire area and was often linked to violence around the trade of drugs in the area.

Another man – Connor Simmons, of Herbert Road, High Wycombe was also jailed as part of the investigation.

And Imran Khan, of Colborne Road, High Wycombe, was handed a £200 fine for possession of class A drugs.

He was acquitted of a further charge of conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class A.

DCI Simon Steel, head of investigations at SEROCU, said: “This has been a detailed investigation, which has involved joint working between Thames Valley Police and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit.

“The sentences today send out a clear message to anyone involved in such criminality that we will ensure we utilise our capabilities so that those that cause serious harm to our communities are held to account and brought to justice.

“Five men were sentenced last year who were involved in the street level crime associated with drug dealing, but we knew there were bigger players who were supplying the drugs.

“It was clear from our investigation the men sentenced today were well organised criminals and bringing untold misery to the streets of Wycombe and beyond. They got so confident they thought they were untouchable that they conducted their drug deals in plain sight.

“Working together with Thames Valley Police as part of their STRONGHOLD campaign, which aims to use partnership to tackle serious and organised crime, we have been able to stop this group at all levels from operating.

“We need the support of the community as the information they provide about criminal activity in their neighbourhoods is vital and assists us to build up a picture of criminal activity and then act on it.

“I would ask that they keep reporting by either calling Thames Valley Police on 101 or calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“We will continue to work with and support those forces within the South East Region to target those involved in serious organised criminality.”

They were sentenced as follows:

  • Anthony Anderson, 30, was found guilty by unanimous verdict on 21 February 2018 of one count of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, cocaine and sentenced to 13 years and 9 months imprisonment
  • Oliver Thomas, 42, was found guilty by unanimous verdict on 21 February 2018 of one count of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, cocaine and one count of fraud by false representation; he pleaded guilty to one count of possession of class B drugs, cannabis, and sentenced to nine years and six months imprisonment
  • Harrison Green, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, cocaine; one count of being concerned in the supply of class B drugs, cannabis; two counts of possession of class B drugs, amphetamine and cannabis and was sentenced to nine years imprisonment
  • Akash Patel, 27, was found guilty by unanimous verdict on 21 February 2018 of one count of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, cocaine; pleaded guilty to one count of possession of Class A drugs, cocaine and two counts of possession of class B drugs, cannabis, and was sentenced to nine years imprisonment
  • Timothy Phelps, 40, was found guilty by majority verdict on 21 February 2018 of one count of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, cocaine, and was sentenced to five years and six months imprisonment
  • Connor Simmons, 22, pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving and was sentenced to one year and one month imprisonment
  • Imran Khan, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of Class A drugs, MDMA and was given a £200 fine. He was acquitted of a further charge of conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class A.