A Southampton drug trafficker who headed up an operation bringing cocaine and heroin from Liverpool to the south coast has been jailed. 

Max Alexander was sentenced to 15 years at Southampton Crown Court on Monday for his role in an operation that saw £250,000 of Class A drugs seized by police.

A two-day sentencing hearing heard how the 34-year-old, of no fixed address, had been obtaining multi-kilos of cocaine and heroin using the EncroChat encrypted mobile system. 

But when he thought the police were after him, he moved to Liverpool to live with his partner where he enlisted three members of a family to continue moving drugs into Southampton. 

The court heard how Stuart Forrest enlisted the help of his parents, Steven and Suezanne Forrest, who became the "logistics" of the operation, driving between the two cities multiple times during the pandemic. 

Three revolvers were found in the raidThree revolvers were found in the raid (Image: Hampshire Police)

Drug money was then hidden at the house of Sheila Sharman, Forrest's grandmother who died before the case reached sentencing. 

Stuart Forrest, 24, of Lyburn Close was jailed for 14 years for his role in the preparation and distribution of the drugs in Southampton. 

The court heard how the operation took place in 2020 and 2021 with Alexander being the "orchestrator", organising the exchange of multiple kilos of Class A drugs at a time.

Speaking at his sentencing hearing, prosecutor Helen Easterbrook said Alexander was "clearly organising and directing the buying and selling, the crown say on a commercial scale".

She added: "He is employing drivers. There is an expectation of financial reward.

"This was an extremely profitable business. [There was] a number of designer goods being bought."

Ammunition was also found by policeAmmunition was also found by police (Image: Hampshire Police)

The court heard how expensive nights in hotels were also booked with Alexander spending time with his partner at the Shangri La in The Shard.

On one occasion, before moving to Liverpool, Alexander also tried to obtain a number of weapons after he claimed a relative's home had been attacked. 

He used the EncroChat handles, 'Rusty Knife' and 'Sleeper Bus' to communicate with his supplier to ask for the weapons.

Judge Brian Forster KC said there was 'in effect warfare taking place in Southampton'.

There had also been discussions about the police's tracking of the mobile service with the prosecutor saying Alexander and his associate were "actively taking measures to avoid detection."

Alexander's activity was brought to an end as part of two police operations, Operation Boheme which was led by Hampshire Constabulary and Operation Venetic - an international operation targeting criminals using EncroChat.

He was arrested on May 12, 2021, after raids at Old Redbridge Road, Cromer Road, Redcoat Close, Itchen View and Clover Nooke that saw ammunition, three revolvers and three double-barrelled shotguns seized. 

Cocaine and heroin with a street value of more than £250,000 was also found.

Sentencing the pair, Judge Forster said Alexander dealt at least 25kg of drugs. 

He said: "Anyone who deals in Class A drugs and anyone who is willing to make money out of the misery and addiction of others on any view commits a very serious offence. 

"Those who play a role in the possession of weapons must expect no mercy and do so at their peril."

Alexander admitted attempting to acquire a prohibited firearm, attempting to acquire ammunition without a firearm certificate, attempting to possess ammunition when prohibited, and six charges of being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine.

He also admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin and conspiracy to transfer criminal property but was found not guilty of conspiracy to possess a firearm without a certificate and conspiracy to possess prohibited firearms.

His barrister, William Sneddon, said Alexander had been transporting kilo blocks to Southampton but was not top of the supply chain. 

He said: "He has no previous convictions for drug offences. He is deeply ashamed at having involved himself in this lifestyle.

"It is not a lifestyle he seeks to return to."

Alexander was also given a five-year Serious Crime Prevention Order.

An order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the weapons and ammunition.

Stuart Forrest, 24, of Lyburn Close, Southampton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, conspiracy to possess a prohibited firearm, conspiracy to possess a firearm without a certificate, conspiracy to transfer criminal property and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Nicholas Robinson, mitigating for Stuart Forrest said: "The Forrest family have been devastated by Stuart Forrest's actions. He is responsible for everything. 

"He is a sensitive man who is sensible, mature and capable of reflecting. He believes he is responsible for his grandmother's passing."

The court also heard how the bricklayer had already served the equivalent of 169 days on remand due to a qualifying curfew he was on.

Steven and Suezanne Forrest, 56 and 48, of Cromer Road, Southampton also face sentencing after they were found guilty of conspiring to supply heroin and cocaine and conspiring to transfer criminal property.

They will be sentenced on November 28.

Two other defendants – Alexander’s partner Kelly Ann Sinnett, 29, of Pasture Avenue in Wirral and Terry David Wells, 49, of Old Redbridge Road - were found not guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, conspiracy to possess a prohibited firearm, conspiracy to possess a firearm without a firearm certificate and conspiracy to transfer criminal property.

Sinnett was found not guilty of failing to hand over a passcode or PIN for a device.