In the culmination of a comprehensive three-year investigation, a gang of prolific drug dealers, operating on the dark web, has been sentenced to jail. James Buckett, 35, from Eldon Road, Caterham, received a nine-year prison term for his significant role in the elaborate drug operation.
Buckett had been running a dark web shop since 2019, selling various class A drugs, including cocaine, LSD, cannabis, and pharmaceutical products, to customers worldwide. He sourced the drugs himself through the dark web and arranged for them to be delivered to the homes of his associates.
Joseph Strachan, 32, of Cintra Park, Crystal Palace, Bromley, was also involved in the drug supply network. While the other members of the gang pleaded guilty, Strachan was found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine and diazepam. He received a two-year suspended sentence following his appearance in court on July 3.
Alfie Petherick, 28, from Stafford Road, Caterham, collaborated with Buckett in dividing the drug parcels into smaller packages and distributing them to destinations across the globe, including France, Canada, the USA, and Germany.
Craig Norton, 32, from Longridge Avenue, Saltdean, worked as a hired drugs runner, delivering drugs for multiple dealers, including Buckett.
The police initially became aware of Buckett in February 2019 when a parcel addressed to him from the Netherlands was intercepted by the Heathrow Border Force. The package contained 60.4 grams of MDMA.
In June of the same year, Buckett moved to a property in South Croydon. His landlord discovered drugs, drug paraphernalia, and handwritten notes outlining his plans for the drug empire after Buckett failed to pay rent and the landlord forced entry.
On July 29, 2020, Buckett was arrested on a boat in Brighton Marina, which he had been using as a base for his drug business. Initially apprehended on suspicion of drug importation, he was later arrested for conspiring with Petherick and Norton to supply drugs. Buckett faced additional charges of drug possession, possessing criminal property, and conspiracy to supply class-A drugs.
Norton and Petherick were arrested on July 30, 2020, for conspiracy to supply class A drugs, while Strachan was arrested on August 13, 2020, for the same offence.
During the trial, James Buckett pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply MDMA, cocaine, cannabis, and diazepam. He received a nine-year prison sentence, which also encompassed conspiring to supply cannabis and diazepam as class B and class C offences.
Alfie Petherick also pleaded guilty to the same charges and was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, to be served concurrently with class B and class C offences.
Craig Norton pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cocaine and received a 30-month imprisonment term.
Joseph Strachan, who was found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine and diazepam, received a two-year suspended sentence.
Detective Constable Phil Potter, from Surrey Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, expressed satisfaction with the sentencing, stating, “These sentences are part of our continued effort to dismantle organized crime networks within Surrey. We urge anyone with information about drug supply or use in their local area to report it to us.”
