A lengthy investigation by Wiltshire Police's Serious Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has culminated in the jailing of eight individuals for their roles in a massive conspiracy to supply cocaine across the southwest.
The operation, which began in 2020, uncovered a complex web of organised crime, with the ringleader, Warren Allison, 36, from Swindon, sentenced to 23 years in prison. His brother, Kelroy Allison, 41, from Trowbridge, received a 16 and a half year sentence.
The investigation revealed that the group dealt more than 70kg of cocaine, with an estimated street value of £5.6m to £7m, between January 2016 and June 2020. The drugs were distributed across the southwest region and beyond, with the group using encrypted communication devices to coordinate their activities.
The SOCU investigation used a range of tactics, including covert surveillance, forensic analysis of documents and phone records, and assistance from the National Crime Agency to access encrypted communication devices.
The eight defendants were sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on 6th February. The sentences were as follows: - Warren Allison, 36, of Sherford Road, Haydon Wick, Swindon: 23 years - Kelroy Allison, 41, of Moyle Park, Hilperton: 16.5 years - Richard Cowell, 57, of Godolphin Close, Freshbrook: 9 years - Porcia Densley, 38, of Burnet Close, Melksham: 8 years - Anthony Burke, 34, of Pennyroyal Grove, Bristol: 8 years - Ledian Hoxha, 38: 7 years 4 months - Pjeter Pisha, 37: 6 years 8 months - Enid Aliko, 28: 4 years
Investigating officer DC Matthew Harvey of SOCU said: “This investigation has systematically broken up a significant operation which was dealing huge amounts of cocaine across not just Wiltshire but the southwest region and beyond.
“The drugs that the Allison brothers, aided by Cowell and Densley, dealt between 2016 and 2020 will have contributed to the social, health and economic impact that cocaine has in the country, such as the associated issues of anti-social behaviour, drug-related violence and acquisitive crime.
“There is also the considerable violence and exploitation which takes place along the supply chain.
“The ringleader behind the organised crime group, Warren Allison, has now been sentenced to more than two decades’ imprisonment, while his brother Kelroy has been jailed for more than 16 years.
“Their wider associates have also been jailed for several years. Intelligence from this operation enabled numerous other targeted arrests, operations and disruptions to be made to many other organised criminals across our region with whom the Allison brothers had been criminally associating with.
“I hope these sentences show that those involved in organised criminal activity are not untouchable or above the law – there are dedicated teams targeting these individuals, and they can be brought to justice.
“I want to highlight the importance of community intelligence in cracking a case like this.
“We know that Warren purchased numerous high value vehicles, including a Lamborghini Huracan, Mercedes C63 AMG and an Audi RS6, with his ill-gotten gains. These extravagant displays of wealth do not go unnoticed by the public, nor the Police.
“If there’s anything which you think could be suspicious, please report it. Any piece of intelligence could be vital.”
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