Latest news with #SWROCU
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Drug dealer who went on run for three years jailed
A woman who has been on the run for three years after admitting smuggling drugs into prison and importing cocaine into the UK has been jailed. Emily MacArthur, 34, of no fixed address, failed to appear in court back in April 2022 having pleaded guilty to both offences. Her co-conspirator and former partner Dennis Obasi was sentenced to 11 years and seven months in November 2022. On Friday, MacArthur was sentenced to 13 years and 11 months in prison when she appeared at Swindon Crown Court. The hearing was told MacArthur exploited young people and vulnerable women to smuggle her drugs so she could fund a lavish lifestyle. MacArthur was also jailed for the previous guilty pleas, but also for three counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, possession of criminal property, and the failure to attend court. An investigation by the the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) started when UK Border Force discovered cocaine in parcels in January 2020. Officers stopped three parcels from Jamaica, addressed to MacArthur at flats in Frome and Bristol. Cocaine, with a street value of more than £13,000, was hidden inside what looked to be shipments of seasonings. MacArthur and Obasi had tens of thousands of messages between each other about making lots of money from drugs. In one message, MacArthur talks about "moving to hard food" – meaning cocaine – as she needed £23,000 for a car and wanted to live in a nicer house. Officers from the Metropolitan Police were also investigating MacArthur about the supply of Spice into prisons. Police issued a warrant to search MacArthur's home in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, in February 2020. At the address, they uncovered substantial amounts of Spice and arrested MacArthur and Obasi. Equipment was found showing they had been making fake legal letters - which were not allowed to be opened by prison staff - to smuggle the Spice into jail. Between February 2019 and March 2020, at least 40 fake letters were recovered from 11 prisons in England, each package having between 25 and 50 sheets of infused paper. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire The court heard that after the pair was released under investigation, they carried on drug dealing. Thames Valley Police arrested them when they were seen dropping off two teenagers at an address belonging to a vulnerable man. MacArthur used aliases to move around and avoid capture, but was arrested in Belfast in June 2024. DC Williams from SWROCU explained that MacArthur had been exploiting young people and vulnerable women to smuggle drugs. "It was all just about money and bettering her lifestyle. "She's tried hard over the past few years to avoid being caught but now it's her turn to face justice for the harm she's caused," he said. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Man smuggled drugs into jail with fake legal papers
BBC News
16-05-2025
- BBC News
On-the-run drug dealer jailed after being hunted for three years
A woman who has been on the run for three years after admitting smuggling drugs into prison and importing cocaine into the UK has been jailed. Emily MacArthur, 34, of no fixed address, failed to appear in court back in April 2022 having pleaded guilty to both co-conspirator and former partner Dennis Obasi was sentenced to 11 years and seven months in November Friday, MacArthur was sentenced to 13 years and 11 months in prison when she appeared at Swindon Crown Court. The hearing was told MacArthur exploited young people and vulnerable women to smuggle her drugs so she could fund a lavish lifestyle. MacArthur was also jailed for the previous guilty pleas, but also for three counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, possession of criminal property, and the failure to attend court. Drugs disguised as seasoning An investigation by the the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) started when UK Border Force discovered cocaine in parcels in January stopped three parcels from Jamaica, addressed to MacArthur at flats in Frome and Bristol. Cocaine, with a street value of more than £13,000, was hidden inside what looked to be shipments of and Obasi had tens of thousands of messages between each other about making lots of money from one message, MacArthur talks about "moving to hard food" – meaning cocaine – as she needed £23,000 for a car and wanted to live in a nicer house. Officers from the Metropolitan Police were also investigating MacArthur about the supply of Spice into issued a warrant to search MacArthur's home in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, in February 2020. At the address, they uncovered substantial amounts of Spice and arrested MacArthur and was found showing they had been making fake legal letters - which were not allowed to be opened by prison staff - to smuggle the Spice into February 2019 and March 2020, at least 40 fake letters were recovered from 11 prisons in England, each package having between 25 and 50 sheets of infused paper. The court heard that after the pair was released under investigation, they carried on drug Valley Police arrested them when they were seen dropping off two teenagers at an address belonging to a vulnerable man. MacArthur used aliases to move around and avoid capture, but was arrested in Belfast in June Williams from SWROCU explained that MacArthur had been exploiting young people and vulnerable women to smuggle drugs. "It was all just about money and bettering her lifestyle."She's tried hard over the past few years to avoid being caught but now it's her turn to face justice for the harm she's caused," he said.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ex police officer used Snapchat to exploit 'child'
A former police officer has admitted to attempting to have sexual communications with a child on Snapchat. Barry Geering, 44, was working for Wiltshire Police at the time of his arrest in April 2024. He was caught by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) communicating with someone he thought was a child over several days. On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child when he appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court. Deputy Chief Constable Mark Cooper said: "Our core priority as officers is to protect those most vulnerable and yet Geering purposefully sought to exploit a child. His actions are simply incompatible with those expected of our officers." Geering was suspended from duty upon his arrest. He resigned from Wiltshire Police two months later. Wiltshire Police's Professional Standards Department is carrying out a separate investigation into potential breaches of standards of professional behaviour by Geering. Mr Cooper said the force will look to "accelerate" these misconduct proceedings. Geering is due to be sentenced at Bristol Magistrates' Court on 23 June. 'Reckless' driver jailed after dangerous chase Police officer admits making child abuse images Police officer barred for pushing boy against wall South West Regional Crime Unit
BBC News
14-05-2025
- BBC News
Ex Wiltshire Police officer used Snapchat to exploit 'child'
A former police officer has admitted to attempting to have sexual communications with a child on Geering, 44, was working for Wiltshire Police at the time of his arrest in April 2024. He was caught by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) communicating with someone he thought was a child over several Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child when he appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Chief Constable Mark Cooper said: "Our core priority as officers is to protect those most vulnerable and yet Geering purposefully sought to exploit a child. His actions are simply incompatible with those expected of our officers." Geering was immediately suspended from duty upon his arrest. He resigned from Wiltshire Police two months Police's Professional Standards Department is carrying out a separate investigation into potential breaches of standards of professional behaviour by Cooper said the force will look to "accelerate" these misconduct is due to be sentenced at Bristol Magistrates' Court on 23 June.
BBC News
11-04-2025
- BBC News
Arrests and fake goods seized in South West barbershop raids
Fake goods have been seized and a number of arrests made in barbershop raids across the south west of Gloucestershire, five people were arrested after officers from different agencies targeted 11 premises. More than 130 bags of fake designer goods were seized in Bristol. The action is part of a three-week nationwide money laundering campaign by the National Crime Agency (NCA), called Operation Machinize."Operations like this hopefully send a very clear message that our high streets are not a place to hide in plain sight," said Det Sgt Adrian Bray from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU). During the operation, a man, aged 40, was arrested on suspicion of fraud after officers raided two barbershops on Barton Street, Gloucester. He has been released on bail under man was arrested for immigration offences at premises where officers from Trading Standards seized illegal cigarettes and vapes.A 24-year-old man, from Gloucester, was also arrested on suspicion of burglary and possession of methamphetamine. He has since been charged with men, aged 33 and 18, from Gloucester, were arrested on suspicion of supplying cocaine and cannabis. The 18-year-old has since been charged with possession with intent to supply, while the 33-year-old was released under investigation. 'Cash-intensive businesses' The SWROCU said it had visited 16 premises in total across the south west of Bournemouth, an employee was found to be working illegally at one premises and vapes were being sold illegally at were also visited in Swindon, Poole, Teignmouth, Saltash, Barnstaple and Braunton, they said. "Barbershops and other cash-intensive businesses like vape shops, nail bars, American-themed sweet shops and car washes are often used by criminals to launder the proceeds of their crimes," Det Sgt Bray said."Their aim is to mix legitimate funds and criminal profits to hinder investigations into their criminality. "We know they are also adept at exploiting vulnerable people to work in their businesses."
