OXFORD is a safer place to live after 10 members of a multimillion pound drugs ring were jailed for a total of 87 years, a senior police officer said.

Detective Inspector Rachel Wheatman made the claim yesterday after eight men were sentenced for being part of conspiracies to supply Class A drugs in an Oxford-based international plot.

Also jailed was a Dutch truck driver who smuggled 13kg of cocaine and 2kg of heroin into the UK.

The drugs were seized and two of the conspirators were caught “red handed” on March 10 last year when their van was stopped on the M40 near High Wycombe.

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The arrests were part of Operation Strix, in which officers from Thames Valley Police used covert surveillance and bugging to ultimately seize almost 15kg of cocaine and 7kg of heroin, worth up to an estimated £24m on the streets.

The leading figure in the conspiracies, Martin Gray from Woodstock, was jailed for 18 years yesterday by Judge Ian Pringle, who described Class A drug dealing as a “scourge” on society.

He told the defendants: “For those who sit day-to-day in criminal courts the scourge of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine are all too evident to see.

“They ruin tens of thousands of lives of people in this country. Quite apart from the damage it does to the families, friends and communities of those who become addicted.

“That is the trade you all involved yourselves in, and that is why the courts take a very serious view of those who deal in Class A drugs.”

 

Prosecutor Michael Roques said the drug dealing plots were “sophisticated”

and in total the case involved 10 defendants: eight who were part of conspiracies, one who allowed his premises to be used for drug dealing, and the truck driver who brought the drugs from the Netherlands.

He said police initially targeted Oxford cocaine dealer Gavin Preston, but switched their attention to Gray after they realised he was Preston’s supplier.

Officers then bugged a Ford Transit van Gray was using and discovered his plan to import huge quantities of drugs into the UK.

Property seized during the investigation included £46,000 in cash, three diamonds worth £3,740, and two watches worth £11,000, the barrister said. There were also hydraulic presses for processing cocaine, electronic scales, large quantities of “cutting agents” used to prepare drugs and two lock knives.

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Some of the foil-wrapped drugs.

Speaking after the sentences were passed yesterday DI Wheatman, who led Operation Strix, said her team were very happy with the outcome.

She said: “We are pleased that we have been able to disrupt the supply of drugs in the Oxford area, bring these men to justice and ensure they are behind bars for a very long time.”

She added: “Taking these drugs off our streets has made Oxford in particular a safer place to live.”

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Some of the proceeds from the ‘sophisticated’ operation.

Police commander for Oxford, Superintendent Christian Bunt, said he agreed that the city is now safer after those involved in the “drug supply network” were jailed.

He said: “This was a lengthy and complex operation by officers from across the Thames Valley and other forces. It also included a collaboration with the Dutch police.

“We continue to do all we can to disrupt the supply of drugs in the Oxford area and beyond and the fact that so many people have been sentenced today shows that if you are involved in the supply of drugs, no matter what part you play, you will face a lengthy time in prison.”

All the offences were committed between August 2013 and March last year.