Major UK drugs gang caught by Sussex Police and South-East Regional Crime Unit
Six people have been jailed for their part in a multi-million pound drugs operation.
Sussex Police's Serious & Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and the South East Regional Crime Unit (SEROCU) have disrupted a multi-million pound drug supply operation by an organised crime group.
With criminal connections in Ramsgate, London, Manchester and Bolton, police estimate the group distributed over 1.6 tonnes of illicit drugs around the country between 2024 and 2025.
This included 1.6 tonnes of cocaine, 159kg of cannabis, 61kg of Heroin and 58kg of Ketamine.
Police say that following the conclusion of the proceedings, they can confirm that five members of the gang were jailed in February of this year.
The jailed gang members were:
Chay Kastercum - The 40-year-old from St Leonards pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin, cannabis and ketamine and was sentenced on the 23rd of February 2026 at Lewes Crown Court. He was jailed for sixteen years and six months.
Ricky Allen - 34, from Eastbourne, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin, cannabis and ketamine and was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on the 23rd of February 2026. He was jailed for seven years.
Kirsty Holman - The 40-year-old from Bexhill pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin, cannabis and ketamine and was sentenced on the 23rd of February 2026 at Lewes Crown Court. She was jailed for seven years.
Emma Billam - 42, from Battle, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Cocaine and Cannabis and, breaching a previous suspended sentence. She was sentenced on the 24th of February 2026 at Lewes Crown Court. She was jailed for four years and two months.
Lee Baden - 42, from St Leonards, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Cocaine, Heroin, Cannabis and Ketamine and was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on the 23rd of February 2026. He was jailed for five years and 10 months.
A sixth man linked to the crime group was identified, following continued investigation by Sussex Police SOCU, and SEROCU officers.
Peter Kastercum - the 60-year-old father of Chay, from Ramsgate in Kent. He was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to supply cocaine following a trial commencing on the 6th July at Lewes Crown Court. He was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on the 7th of September to eleven years in jail.
Superintendent Ed Faulkner said: “The magnitude of this operation disrupted by Sussex SOCU and SEROCU cannot be understated."
“I am pleased to see the court reflect this in the sentencing of these offenders."
“This is a prominent step towards disrupting and dismantling major drugs operations in Sussex and across the country."
“Illicit drugs cause immense harm to individuals and to communities."
“We encourage those who are users of illegal drugs to seek help in breaking the damaging cycle of drug use and addiction."
“Illegal drug supply is often linked to exploitation, violence and other crimes that significantly impact young people and vulnerable adults."
“Sussex Police’s priorities remain protecting communities and catching criminals, so our work disrupting and dismantling organised crime groups will continue."
“We will remain ferociously in pursuit of perpetrators and relentlessly endeavour to keep communities safe.”