TEN members of an organised crime group who supplied cocaine across the South West have been sentenced.

The group members, which included individuals from North Somerset, were sentenced on Friday, May 3 at Bristol Crown Court following an investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).

The crime organisation was headed up by Sandford resident Ricardo Robinson, 29. He was sentenced to eight years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs for his role in organising for vast amounts of cocaine from the Midlands to be distributed.

Samual Hurman, 31, of Cherry Avenue, Clevedon, was sentenced to five years four months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs for acting as a courier.

Weston Mercury: Samual Hurman.Samual Hurman. (Image: Regional Organised Crime Unit Network)

Meanwhile, Thomas Prodger, 29, of Nin Court, Weston-super-Mare, received five years and four months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs for his role as 'warehouseman'.

This involved Prodger arranging storage of the cocaine at his mother's house in Pastures Avenue before delivering it to Hurman as needed.

63-year-old Jane Allen, Prodger's mother, and her husband Craig Allen, 52, were sentenced to four months each suspended for 18 months, for allowing their premises to be used for the supply of Class A drugs.

Weston Mercury: Thomas Prodger.Thomas Prodger. (Image: Regional Organised Crime Unit Network)

Other North Somerset locals involved in the operation included Ernest Gorka, 28, of Norfolk Road, Weston-super-Mare, who assisted by storing cash and cocaine at his property. Gorka was handed one year eight months, suspended for 18 months.

Andrew Gray, 26, of Steamcross, Claverham was given a sentence of one year eight months, suspended for 18 months for his role in receiving deliveries from Hurman and supplying drugs to users.

Anthony Cunningham, 30, of Rover Drive, Birmingham, acted as a courier delivering quantities of cocaine to the Organised Crime Group and collecting cash which he would take back to the Midlands. He received five years six months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Weston Mercury: Anthony Cunningham.Anthony Cunningham. (Image: Regional Organised Crime Unit Network)

Daniel Hawkins, 29, of Eddys Lane, Barnstaple and Jonathon Leson, 43, of Hills View, Barnstaple were both charged for receiving deliveries of cocaine for street level supply in North Devon. Hawkins was sentenced to one year eight months, suspended for 18 months. Leson was given one year ten months, suspended for 18 months.

DI Matt Houghton of SWROCU said: “This Organised Crime Group was supplying significant quantities of cocaine across the South West. Drugs cause significant harm – fuelling violence and leaving people fearful in their own communities – and we are committed to working with local police teams to root out those higher up the chain intent on bringing illegal drugs into the region.”