Four individuals have been sentenced at Bristol Crown Court for their involvement in a significant drugs conspiracy that saw the supply of cocaine worth at least £3 million from London and the East Midlands to the South West region.
The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) investigation has already led to the sentencing of seven individuals, totalling 60 years in prison, in previous hearings.
Robert Dent, 43, from Willinton Road, Knowle West, and James Hele, 38, from Holroyd House, Somerset Terrace, Bedminster, pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to supply a minimum of 46kg of cocaine, valued at £1.65 million, as well as conspiracy to transfer criminal proceeds. Dent and his wife, Kate Dent, 42, also admitted concealing £46,000 in cash discovered during a search of their residence, and using illicit funds for home improvements. Additionally, Robert Dent pleaded guilty to possession of an electronic shock device.
Robert Dent was sentenced to a total of 12 years, while James Hele received an 11-year sentence.
Michelle Bray, 37, from Bedminster, who is James Hele’s partner, and Kate Dent both pleaded guilty in July to being concerned in a criminal arrangement. They admitted their involvement in collecting and moving cocaine and money. Kate Dent received a two-year suspended sentence for 18 months, and Michelle Bray received a 20-month suspended sentence for 18 months.
The SWROCU investigation is part of a larger effort across the UK that followed the dismantling of EncroChat in 2020 by European law enforcement agencies. EncroChat was an encrypted messaging service widely used by organised crime groups.
In a previous trial, Romaine Hyman from Bath was sentenced to 26 years after being found guilty of 18 offences, including drug and money laundering conspiracies, as well as firearms offenses. EncroChat messages on his phone revealed him boasting about his gun, equipped with a silencer.
EncroChat messages, combined with other evidence, indicate that at least 46kg of cocaine was delivered to Willinton Close in 1kg blocks, where it was subsequently divided into smaller quantities. Cocaine residue was discovered on Dent’s kitchen scales and blender, and three black containers containing a common cocaine adulterant were found.
Senior Investigating Officer DCI Charlotte Tucker expressed satisfaction with the sentencing, describing it as another step towards dismantling organised criminal networks that profited from supplying class A drugs across the region and into Wales. Tucker also appealed for public assistance in locating Christopher Barbosa, an associate of Dent, to face serious charges.
Robert Earl, Unit Head for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), emphasised the destructive impact of drugs on lives and communities. Earl commended the collaboration between the CPS and the SWROCU over several years, leading to the successful dismantlement of this organised crime group and the conviction of those involved.
