Ryan Playford and Martyn McGee jailed for dugs offences

Ryan Playford, 48, of The Farthings, Warsash, has been handed a 15-year sentence after pleading guilty to offences including conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis.

Ryan Playford

Playford jailed for nine years and nine months for conspiring to supply cocaine and six years for conspiring to supply cannabis.

He was also jailed for one year for fraud and five years and three months for encouraging or assisted the commission of a firearms offence.

Martyn McGhee, 54, of International Way, Southampton, was jailed for four-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to conspiring with Playford to supply cocaine.

Martyn McGhee

Portsmouth Crown Court heard Playford had been heavily involved in the supply of large amounts of cocaine and cannabis both in the UK and Europe.

The investigation was carried out by specialist officers from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU).

Speaking after the case a police spokesman said: "Playford communicated with other organised criminals using encrypted devices.

"His messages came to light following the take-down of the encrypted system Encrochat by international law enforcement agencies. Messages attributed to Playford showed he was involved in the supply of drugs.

"He was part of a well-established distribution network and in his messages spoke about laundering the drugs money through the purchase of property in the Netherlands.

"It was subsequently established that Martyn McGhee was working for Playford as a courier and was involved in a large scale cocaine deal in Leeds on 21 May 2020.

"He also used an encrypted device to keep in contact with Playford."

Detective Inspector Clair Trueman, the senior investigating officer from SEROCU, said: “The actions of Playford and McGhee, who worked together to supply large amounts of drugs across the country, undoubtedly has caused immeasurable suffering to our communities.

“It was evident from the communication between the two that they were significant in causing drug-related harm to those living in the South East and beyond.

"Playford has also admitted a firearms offence – and we know that the use of such weapons on our streets can have devastating and fatal consequences.

“We will continue our work in seeking to bring to justice organised criminals such as Playford and McGhee to ensure we keep communities safe from harm.”