Police discover £300,000 worth of cocaine following the failed escape attempt of a drugs gang due to one man’s erratic driving

Avon & Somerset Police uncovered 1.5 kilos of cocaine in Kyle Joyner’s garden following a major investigation linked to his associate Austen Barnes-Sargeant’s reckless driving incident. The stash, worth £300,000, was concealed in a hole in the ground covered with a washing-up bowl as officers closed in on a drug dealing gang. Three men and a woman were sentenced to over 20 years in prison after the probe revealed almost half a million pounds’ worth of drugs. Bodycam footage captured the moment police found the drugs as they searched Joyner’s home triggered by his collaborator’s driving offense. Barnes-Sargeant was initially stopped in Gloucestershire, where he failed a roadside drugs test and was found in possession of cash, cocaine, cannabis, and more drugs at his residence.

DNA evidence linking Joyner to the investigation was found on a tissue discovered in a wheelie bin containing £70,000 worth of cocaine, a knife, and drugs paraphernalia at Carlie Bridges’ residence in Bristol. Barnes-Sargeant was stopped again in August, while Joyner and another accomplice, O’Shea, were also apprehended. Various kilograms of cocaine were seized from these individuals, with police noticing connections between Joyner and the other two men through digital evidence leading to a search of Joyner’s house where more cocaine was discovered buried in the garden. Joyner, 30, was arrested in Kent two days later, and the total cocaine seized from the three men amounted to nearly £320,000. All four individuals pleaded guilty to 16 charges and were sentenced at Bristol Crown Court, with Joyner receiving the highest sentence of eight years and eight months for supplying class A drugs and acquiring criminal property.

Detective Chief Inspector Ben Lavender from Avon & Somerset Police commented on the sentences, indicating the conclusion of a significant operation targeting drug suppliers in Bristol. He highlighted the substantial value of the drug operation, worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, and the impact on individuals affected by drug abuse. Lavender emphasized the commitment of law enforcement to combat drug supply, protect the public, and maintain community safety. He urged the public to report any suspicions of drug trafficking through the police’s reporting systems. The sentences handed down in this case were a result of the diligent efforts by law enforcement to dismantle the drug trafficking activities of these individuals.

The case involved a complex network of drug dealing and trafficking activities, with the collaboration between Joyner, Barnes-Sargeant, O’Shea, and Bridges resulting in a significant drug bust. It showcased the lengths to which individuals would go to profit from illegal drug sales and the legal repercussions they faced as a result. The investigation revealed the pervasive nature of drug trafficking operations in the region, prompting the police to take swift action to dismantle the network. By following leads, collecting evidence, and coordinating efforts, law enforcement successfully apprehended the individuals involved and secured convictions for their criminal activities. The stringent sentences reflect the seriousness of drug-related offenses and serve as a warning to others engaged in similar illicit activities.

The seizure of 1.5 kilos of cocaine in Joyner’s garden and the subsequent arrests of Barnes-Sargeant, O’Shea, and Bridges highlighted the collaborative work between law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking. The case exemplified the challenges faced by police in identifying, investigating, and apprehending individuals involved in criminal activities such as drug dealing. The operation underscored the importance of community reporting and public cooperation in helping law enforcement take swift action against drug-related crimes. The sentences handed down to the four individuals involved in this case sent a strong message to others engaged in drug trafficking that such activities would not be tolerated and would result in severe penalties. As law enforcement continues its efforts to target drug supply chains and protect communities, the public’s vigilance and support remain vital in combating drug-related crimes.