Drug Gang Jailed: Their Activities Were Directed From Behind Bars, Court Told

Published on: 19 Apr, 2024
Updated on: 19 Apr, 2024

Eleven members of an organised crime group that concocted an elaborate conspiracy to deal drugs throughout Surrey have been sentenced at Guildford Crown Court to a combined total of more than 50 years in prison.

The leader of the group was Samuel Linsley, who was already serving time in prison after being convicted of previous drug offences. Investigations revealed that he had a smuggled mobile phone and was using this to direct criminal activities of the gang from behind bars.

Saad Arshad, aged 28, of Albert Drive, Woking, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and conspiracy to supply class B drugs. He was jailed for seven and a half years.
Harvey Edmonds, aged 28, of Rye Close, Guildford, pleaded guilty to four counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and class B drugs and sentenced to three years behind bars.
Rosie Fulk, aged 27, of Swallow Rise, Knaphill, pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, conspiracy to supply class B drugs and money laundering. She was jailed for six years.
Serena Linsley, aged 54, of Thorneycroft Close, Walton-on-Thames, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering and given a 12-month suspended sentence.
Samuel Linsley, aged 27, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and money laundering. He was jailed for eleven and a half years.
Harvey Penton-Stewart, aged 21, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to supply class B drugs and handed a one-year suspended sentence.
Jasmin Penton-Stewart, aged 32, of Plaistow Road, Dunsfold, pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, conspiracy to supply class B drugs and money laundering. She was jailed for four years.
Tom Ross, aged 31, of Devoil Close in Guildford, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and money laundering. He was sentenced to six years in prison.
Harry Turner, aged 30, of Church Road, Bookham, pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, conspiracy to supply class B and money laundering. He was given a nine-year prison sentence.
Dominic Scott, aged 29, of Downside Common Road, Cobham, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and attempting to pervert the course of justice. He was given nine years behind bars.
Frederick Sherlock, aged 32, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and conspiracy to supply class B drugs. He was handed a two-year suspended sentence.

The investigation into the conspiracy began in October 2019 after a car owned by Jasmin Penton-Stewart was stopped in Godalming after being flagged for having no insurance. When she was pulled over, officers noticed that the vehicle smelled strongly of cannabis and a thorough search was conducted. The search uncovered a handbag that contained cannabis, cocaine, and cash.

A warrant was then executed at her home address and 50 grams of cocaine and 316 grams of cannabis were located and seized. On her mobile phone, a large number of messages were found that referenced the supply of drugs from a number of other members of the organised crime group.

From the phone evidence it was clear that the leader of the group was Samuel Linsley, who was already serving time in prison for drug offences. Investigations revealed he had a smuggled mobile phone and was using this to direct criminal activities of the gang from behind bars and that his mother Serena was intimately involved in the movement of money for her son.

Based on intelligence gathered throughout the investigation, officers conducted a search of the Cobham home address of Dominic Scott and located a kilo of cocaine in the bathroom. They were also able to piece together extensive text messages that used code names such as ‘encyclopaedia’, ‘coursework’ and ‘head tutor’ (meaning drugs and money), to identify and arrest the other members of the drug running gang.

Investigating Officer DC Mikki Mayhew, of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “This sentence is a huge success for the team, who worked really hard to build a watertight case, but also the residents of Surrey who can be so negatively impacted by drug dealing. The long sentences reflect the seriousness and scale of these crimes. Over the course of the investigation over a kilo of cocaine was seized from the organised crime group.

“We take drug dealing and organised crime extremely seriously and wherever possible will always pursue a conviction and prison sentence for those involved. If you think someone you know may be involved in drug dealing, please report it to us via our online reporting tool or by calling 101.”