FIVE men have been sentenced to a total of more than 66 years in prison after being convicted for drug supply offences across the Thames Valley.

Among them was three men from Oxfordshire – including 44-year-old Patrick Gray, of Radford Close, Oxford, who was found guilty of conspiring to supply cocaine.

Lewis Court, 37, of Cuddeson Way, Oxford, and 33-year-old Richard Gray of Barley Court, Witney, earlier pleaded guilty to the same offence.

Thames Valley Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit launched Operation Sedate into the organised crime group run by brothers Richard and Patrick Gray.

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Between March 31, 2020 and May 26 last year, the defendants conspired to supply large quantities of drugs across the Thames Valley and Wiltshire.

The investigation that followed identified that Richard Gray and others travelled to Lancashire to purchase drugs.

These were then returned to Oxfordshire where they were stored at the home addresses of other members of the gang and at a rural farm location.

While at these locations, the drugs were prepared to be sold on to customers across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Wiltshire.

Following the execution of warrants in May 2021, more than 2.8kg of cocaine and 18.3 grams of crack cocaine were recovered, along with cash totalling more than £158,000.

In total, the group was sentenced to 66 years and four months in prison.

Mohammed Ali, 50, of Chervil, Milton Keynes, was found guilty of conspiring to supply cocaine following the trial at Oxford Crown Court, with 36-year-old William White, of no fixed abode, pleading guilty to the same offence.

Returning to the same court, Richard and Patrick Gray were sentenced to 21 and 18 years’ imprisonment respectively.

Ali was sentenced to 12 years, while Court and White both received seven years and eight months.

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Investigating officer Detective Constable Gavin Toney, of the Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “The sentences passed down to these men marks the end of a significant intelligence-led investigation.

“This was a very significant drug supply network, and those convicted brought large quantities of Class A drugs into the Thames Valley with the intention of flooding the area with them.

“We will never tolerate the production and supply of drugs in our communities.

“They cause untold harm, particularly to those who are vulnerable, and tackling this type of criminality remains one of Thames Valley Police’s top priorities.

“Five major figures involved in the supply of Class A drugs have now been brought to justice, and they will be unable to bring harm to our communities for many years to come.

“I would also urge anybody who has information about drug supply and production to get in touch with police.

“You can do so in the strictest confidence, either by calling 101, or by reporting anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”