Four drug barons who planned to flood streets with £4.5million worth of ketamine are jailed

• The men were part of a gang importing drugs into the UK disguised as car parts  

Four drug barons who plotted to flood the streets with £4.5million worth of ketamine have been jailed for more than 23 years.

Gary Parson, 58, was caught by police unloading boxes containing 150 kilograms of the class B drug into James Smith’s car on August 25, 2022.

The pair were part of a gang importing drugs into the UK disguised as car parts.

Police liaised with the Netherlands National Police who identified further boxes in transit, which led to the recovery of 210 kilograms of ketamine.

Met officers found Mark Brydges, 56, and 41-year-old Kelvin Homewood were also involved in supplying drugs on EncroChat.

Gary Parson, 58, (pictured) was caught by police unloading boxes containing 150 kilograms of the class B drug into a car on August 25, 2022

The car belonged to James Smith (pictured). The pair were part of a gang importing drugs into the UK disguised as car parts

Brydges, who used the EncroChat handle ‘£Swanny’, was also convicted of supplying the sale of a kilogram of cocaine.

Homewood, of Chertsey, Surrey, was jailed for seven years after he was convicted by a jury at Isleworth Crown Court of conspiracy to supply 150 kilograms of ketamine, a class B drug.

Parson, of Pike Crescent, Ashford, Surrey and Smith of Rushmead Grove Rubery, Rednal, Birmingham, were jailed for five years and three months after admitting possession with intent to supply 150 kilograms of ketamine.

Brydges of Beechtree Avenue, Egham, Surrey, admitted supplying a kilo of the class A drug cocaine and conspiracy to supply a class B drug, namely 150 kilograms ketamine.

He was sentenced to nine years and four months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty on October 20. 

Met officers found Mark Brydges (pictured) was also involved in supplying drugs on EncroChat

Kelvin Homewood (pictured) was also involved in supplying drugs on EncroChat

Detective Inspector Damian Hill from the Metropolitan Police Specialist Crime Command said: ‘The Met is committed to targeting illegal drug markets and bring the most serious criminals in communities to justice.

‘My team prevented 150 kilograms of Ketamine being sold on the streets of London and across the rest of the U.K, preventing further drugs related violence. I am pleased with the sentences and the disruption of this criminal network’.

‘We’re building A New Met for London where communities know their local officers, help to shape their policing priorities, and work with them to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour; and when victims call us for help, they’re satisfied with our response. 

‘Community crime-fighting is key, ensuring we cut crime, rebuild trust and restore our bond with communities using local officers and specialist resources of the Met.’

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