Organised crime gang sentenced for Devon drugs' operation

Sidmouth was focal point

A group of 13 men and women have been sentenced at Exeter Crown Court for supplying £1.5million worth of Class A and B drugs from London into Devon & Cornwall.

The organised crime group trafficked 390kg of cannabis and 4kg of cocaine into the region between June 2021 and August 2022 and then supplied it through a network of local dealers across the two counties.

Twelve members of the group pleaded guilty to the drugs supply offences; one man was found guilty at trial in February 2024.

They all appeared at court over two days last week where Judge Evans sentenced them.

The investigation, named Operation Musical, begin in June 2021 after officers from the Proactive Unit in Exeter identified intelligence about drugs being supplied from the Sidmouth area. The team spent months tracking phone data, building up the picture of the groups operation before carrying out a series of warrants in August 2022 where they made multiple arrests and seized drugs, cash, and other assets.

Officers identified the lead conspirators as Philip Fallows, 36, from Sidmouth, and Jamie Chapman, 33, from Hertfordshire, who were orchestrating and coordinating the supply of drugs from London to Sidmouth, where Fallows then arranged for its onward distribution.

The two had trusted couriers within the group who facilitated the movement of drugs within Devon and Cornwall – this included Chapman’s father, Paul Chapman, 67, who would drive to London and return a short time later with the haul.

They also relied on Matthew Topham, 31, and Jack Culip, 24, from Camelford, who became trusted associates of Fallows and were key contacts for the distribution of the drugs in Cornwall.

Fallows not only arranged the supply of the contraband into Devon, receiving up to 19kg of cannabis to his home address at a time, but he also then used encrypted messaging services to liaise with the group and arrange for them to collect it and sell it on to users around the force area.

On 31 August 2022, police raided a number of houses and seized cash, assets including cars, and drugs including 19kg of amphetamine at Philip Fallows second address.

The group were arrested and later charged with drugs supply offences. Over two days, the group appeared in the dock where Judge Evans passed sentence for their roles.

Four men have been sentenced for conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis and money laundering:

• Jamie Chapman, 33, of Old North Road, Hertfordshire was sentenced to six years and ten months.
• Matthew Topham, 31, of Willowbank, Camelford was sentenced to four years and ten months.
• Jack Culip, 24, of Willowbank, Camelford was sentenced to two years and nine months.
• Philip Fallows, 36, of Cotmaton Road, Sidmouth was also sentenced for possession with intent to supply amphetamine and was jailed for seven years and eight months.

Police will now seek to recover and confiscate assets from the above four men gained from the illicit activities, under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The network of associates who helped couriering and distributing the drugs were also sentenced.

Kelly Thomas, 42, Butts Road, Ottery St Mary was sentenced to a two year and six-month community order for conspiracy to supply cocaine. Another eight people were sentenced for conspiracy to supply cannabis:

• Damien Carnell, 38, of Manstone Avenue, Sidmouth, was sentenced to two years and seven months.
• Paul Chapman, 67, of South Lawn, Sidford, was sentenced to three years and three months.
• Zoe Mardon, 49, of Waters Road, Salisbury, was sentenced to an 18-month community order.
• Tia Pryor-Howard, 26, of Vaughan Road, Exeter, was given a suspended sentence of one year and nine months.
• Gary Hedgeland, 31, of SunnyHill, Ottery St Mary, was given a suspended sentence of one year and eight months.
• Scott Baylis, 44, of Albion Street, Exmouth, was found guilty at trial. He was sentenced to an 18-month community order.
• Jonathan Keene, 35, of Mill Street, Ottery St Mary, was sentenced to a 12-month community order.
• Matthew Harris, 47, of Albion Street, Exmouth, was sentenced to an 18-month community order.
• George Fallows, 40, of Mill Street, Ottery St Mary, is due to be sentenced in August.

Detective inspector Guy Biggar said: “This was a well-orchestrated operation which facilitated the supply of a significant number of drugs into Devon and Cornwall.

“This investigation began thanks to intelligence and information being reported by the public to police, which allowed officers to start tracking and monitoring the groups messages and movements, in order to take action.

“County Lines drug supply into our communities is not something that we will tolerate, and we will be persistent in pursuing those who seek to bring this harm."

Information about suspected illegal activity can be reported to police online or by calling 101, or anonymously to Crimestoppers.