Six people have this week been jailed for a combined total of more than 60 years for their role in a major Somerset drugs supply network which saw officers seize cocaine with a street value of £2.4m.
The six received jail sentences at a hearing in Taunton Crown Court, sitting at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court, on Monday 31st March.
During the hearing, Judge Paul Cook said the drug supply was on an “industrial scale” involving “eye-watering” quantities.
Those sentenced were:
- Thomas Beasley, 35, of Apple Tree Close, Norton Fitzwarren – jailed for 14 years and seven months after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine and being concerned in the supply of cocaine
- Devon Feltham, 32, of Birch Grove, Chard – jailed for 12 years after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine
- Courtney Feltham, 24, Birch Grove, Chard – jailed for 10 years after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine
- Rachael Beer, 47, of Beach Road, Weston-super-Mare – jailed for nine years and seven months after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine and acquiring/using/possessing criminal property (cash)
- Harry Dyer, 32, of Cedern Avenue, Weston-super-Mare – jailed for nine years and four months after admitting two counts of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession with intent to supply ketamine.
- Joel Powis, 36, of Brockley Crescent, Weston-super-Mare – jailed for six years and seven months after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine.
Officers detained Rachael Beer in Weston-super-Mare on Wednesday 24 January following an intelligence-led operation.
In the boot of her car, they found 30 kilos of cocaine, with a street value of £2.4m.
A further search of her home led to the discovery of a safe containing more than £34,000 in cash, as well as a cash counting machine.
Analysis of her mobile phone led to officers arresting Devon Feltham and Courtney Feltham, as evidence showed they were involved in the collection and re-distribution of cocaine consignments on a regular basis, estimated to be around 170 kilos in total.
The group had been communicating through an encrypted messaging app between September 2023 and January 2024.
Further enquiries led to other offenders being identified – Thomas Beasley, Joel Powis and Harry Dyer – who were all arrested in April 2024. Around 100 grams of ketamine was found during a search of Dyer’s garage.
Det Ch Insp Ben Lavender, Head of the Serious and Organised Crime Team, said: “This investigation unravelled a multi-million pound drugs operation supplying cocaine across the South West.”
“The supply of drugs like cocaine causes upset and misery in our communities and has associated consequences in terms of further offences being committed to fund addictions.”
“Stopping the supply of these harmful substances is a priority for us and while offenders may think they’re operating under the radar, operations like this prove they have no hiding place, with the prospect of substantial prison sentences awaiting them.”
Police say local information is very important to help to target drug dealers and tackle the associated crime and disorder which can blight communities.
To report drug crime on the police website, see: https://www.
