Exeter drugs gang jailed

Proceeds worth more than half a million

Members of an organized crime group in Exeter are starting long prison sentences following huge drugs operation.

Last month Lester Purdy, 66, of Station Road, Ide, pleaded guilty at Exeter Crown Court to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and of possession of MDMA (ecstasy) and cannabis. He's going to enjoy seven years and eight months at Her Majesty's Pleasure.

Jake Purdy, 25, also of Station Road, Ide, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs. He's been jailed for three years and four months. Julian Eslick, 46, of Cliff Bastin Close, Exeter, pleaded guilty to the same offence and was sentenced to four years in prison.

Trevor Forbes, aged 58, of Brasenose Driftway, Oxford, pleaded guilty to money laundering and was sentenced to one year in prison.

The police operation was launched into the gang earlier this year. Officers raided an address in Ide, Exeter during which four men were arrested and thousands of pounds worth of Class A drugs, cash and firearms were seized. Police then seized £74,000 in cash at Exeter's motorway services and located two kilograms of cocaine buried in woods at Ide with a street value of £200,000.

Over the following months, police located further lockups which had been used by the gang. The investigation team also discovered that since February 2019, around £260,000 had been laundered. The total sum of drugs and proceeds well exceed half a million pounds.

Detective inspector Dave Egan said: “The operation into this large conspiracy to supply drugs was managed by Exeter CID. The large pre-planned firearms operation in May led to the arrest of two members of the Purdy family who were in possession of 2 kg of Cocaine, around £74,000 cash, a Range Rover, a Jaguar, two deactivated firearms and various other items evidencing criminality – including the possession of encrypted mobile devices.

“The large-scale operation had a significant impact on the otherwise quiet and safe village of Ide and members of the community have been supportive of the police operation throughout. The investigation team have worked tirelessly for over six months since the arrests collating evidence and progressing associated caseloads whilst linking in with the community.

“My thanks and recognition goes out to all involved for this result today. The Investigation demonstrates that even during periods of Covid lockdown, Devon and Cornwall Police will continue to safely investigate serious drugs offences and bring offenders to justice.”