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Five jailed for role in drug-dealing network

Leigh Boobyer
BBC News, Bristol
Avon and Somerset Police A man looking at the camera in a police mugshot, with a moustache and wearing two gold earrings.Avon and Somerset Police
Claude Craig Gumbs was jailed for 12 years

Five people who admitted being involved in running a major drug-supply network have each been jailed for up to 12 years.

The four men and a woman were sentenced at Bristol Crown Court after police discovered cocaine, MDMA, ketamine and cannabis, valued at about £30,000.

Officers also seized 14kg of cocaine with a street value of more than £1.1m in Bristol and also found £84,595 at a property in Barton Hill.

Temporary Supt Ben Lavender at Avon and Somerset Police said the investigation had "reduced harm significantly".

The defendants who were jailed were:

  • Claude Craig Gumbs, 34, of Church Street, Redfield, was jailed for 12 years.
  • Junior Griffiths, 34, of Patchway, South Gloucestershire, was jailed for eight years
  • Osheen Griffiths, 31, of Lambeth, London, was jailed for three years and three months.
  • David Chanter, 64, of Brook Road, Montpelier, was jailed for three years and four months
  • Terry Ellick, 39, of Kingswood Heights, was also jailed for three years and four months

All five pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and MDMA, and two counts of being concerned in the supply ketamine and cannabis.

Gumbs also pleaded guilty to charges of supplying cocaine to a man in Redfield in August 2024, possession with intent to supply cocaine and possession of criminal property.

Avon and Somerset Police Stacks of pound notes in elastic bands in a transparent police evidence bagAvon and Somerset Police
Police found £84,595 at a property in Barton Hill

Together the group were involved in running a drugs line that handed a variety of banned substances to hundreds of customers, the court heard.

Avon and Somerset Police A man looking at the camera in a police mugshot, with a goatee and wearing a hopped earring and a black hoody.Avon and Somerset Police
Junior Griffiths helped run the drugs line
Avon and Somerset Police A woman facing a camera, looking up, wearing two silver hoop earrings.Avon and Somerset Police
Osheen Griffiths was one of the line's drug dealers

The force began an investigation in August 2024 after a man's rucksack was found to contain 3kg of cocaine, and tracked the source to Gumbs' home address in Barton Hill.

Police then searched a flat, where they found Osheen Griffiths and, after finding drugs and cash, they were both arrested on suspicion of drug offences.

Avon and Somerset Police A man staring at the camera in a police mugshot with a beardAvon and Somerset Police
Terry Ellick was also one of the network's dealers

Some of those drugs were for sale via the drugs line.

Gumbs, Junior Griffiths and Osheen Griffiths were involved in running the drugs line, receiving orders and directing dealers Chanter and Ellick to customers.

Temporary Supt Ben Lavender, head of the serious organised crime team, said: "The supply of drugs like cocaine causes upset and misery in our communities and has associated consequences in terms of further offences being committed to fund addictions."

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