Lee Silvester, a 41-year-old man from Bromley, has been sentenced to nine years in prison after a comprehensive investigation by the Metropolitan Police exposed his involvement in a sophisticated drug distribution network. The sentencing occurred at Kingston Crown Court on April 10, where Silvester was found guilty of multiple counts of conspiracy to supply and possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs.
The case against Silvester began to unfold in April 2022 when Met Police officers observed a suspect at a storage unit in West London, handling what was later confirmed to be Class A drugs. The individual was caught unloading the drugs from his vehicle, arrested, and subsequently sentenced to over five years in prison. The street value of the drugs involved was estimated at £600,000.
Investigators were able to link Silvester to the operations through the analysis of the arrested man’s phone, which indicated that Silvester was the one “directing and controlling” the activities. This discovery led to his arrest in September 2022, during which he was found in possession of Class A drugs worth over £50,000.
A search of Silvester’s home in Lullingstone Crescent revealed extensive evidence of his drug trafficking activities. Police found additional drugs, heat sealing devices, packaging equipment, and a ‘burner’ phone, confirming regular communication between Silvester and his accomplice. It was also discovered that Silvester was listed on the contract for the storage unit, further implicating him in the operation.
The trial concluded with a unanimous jury verdict, finding Silvester guilty on all charges. Detective Constable Brendan Kennedy, the investigating officer, remarked on the significance of the conviction: “Silvester’s sentence concludes a matter that has been running for several years targeting organised criminality in the drug trade. The evidence demonstrated that his offending was linked to the importation of class A drugs into the UK involving criminals based overseas.
DC Kennedy also highlighted the collaborative efforts with international law enforcement agencies which significantly disrupted the drug trafficking operation. “We want to make London a hostile place for anyone considering this kind of activity, and there is no better deterrent for anyone involved than spending years in prison,” he added.
Silvester’s conviction marks a significant victory for the Metropolitan Police in their ongoing efforts to combat organized drug crime within and beyond London’s borders.
