13 jailed for over 80 years in Devon drugs gang bust

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 13:44 · Archive

Thirteen people have been sentenced to more than 80 years in prison for roles in a multi-million-pound drug-dealing network across Devon.

Thirteen people have been sentenced to more than 80 years in prison for their roles in a multi-million-pound drug-dealing network across Devon. Operation Midriver, conducted by Devon and Cornwall Police, involved the examination of 38 mobile phones, more than 50,000 messages and thousands of communications, along with financial investigations and surveillance. The network supplied Class A and Class B drugs across the South West, with one part of the operation involving drugs with a wholesale value exceeding £3 million. The investigation also uncovered cannabis imports from Thailand and North America.

The first conspiracy operated between June 2023 and June 2024, bringing Class A and Class B drugs into South Devon from London. Edward Stoddart, 38, of Manor Street, Dittisham, organised the operation locally and was sentenced to 12 years plus six months for the illegal possession of a mobile phone in prison. Other defendants handled transport, storage and distribution. Police discovered that cash was being sent from Post Offices in Devon to an address in Dagenham belonging to Keeley Nurden, 54, who was sentenced to four and a half years. Couriers travelled to collect drugs from addresses linked to Nurden and Vanda Galamba, 50. The drugs were subsequently stored, adulterated and distributed from locations including a storage unit in Ashburton controlled by Stoddart.

The remaining defendants were sentenced on various dates, with the latest hearing on Thursday, 8 October. Leon Harding, 22, received eight years and four months; Daniel Passmore, 45, received seven years; Corey Murphy, 21, received eight years and nine months; Matthew Villiers, 48, received five years and 10 months; George Langford, 21, received six years and nine months; Kiara Banks, 21, received five years and nine months; Finley Gribble, 24, received four and a half years and three months for possession of a lock knife; Daimian Sloan, 40, received 40 months; and David Barnes, 76, received 45 months.

How it is being reported

• Thirteen jailed as police smash multi-million pound drug network across DevonA huge drug-dealing network involving millions of pounds worth of illegal substances, a kidnapping and international cannabis shipments has been dismantled, with 13 people jailed for a combined total of more than 80 years.Exmouth Journal · 9 Oct, 13:19
• 13 jailed for over 80 years as police smash multi-million-pound Devon drugs ringCops smash organised network involving people from Torquay, Paignton and BuckfastleighDevonLive · 9 Oct, 13:03

In this story: Edward Stoddart · Devon and Cornwall Police · Devon · Keeley Nurden · Vanda Galamba · Torquay · Paignton · Buckfastleigh

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