Drug kingpin that sold millions of pounds of cocaine and ketamine receives 14 year sentence
Ben Ransome, 29, previously from Ethelred Gardens in Wickford, was one of the force's "most wanted" criminals
A drug kingpin, who orchestrated the supply of millions of pounds worth of cocaine and ketamine, has been sentenced to 14 years following a multi-year investigation by Essex Police.
Ben Ransome, 29, organised a criminal network, selling drugs in bulk to his customers, who included firearms dealers.
The man had tried to reinvent himself as a boxer in Thailand, but he was tracked down by the Thai Police, and extradited earlier this year.
Ransome went on the run in the midst of one of Essex Police's largest series of investigations, and was responsible for supplying large amounts of Class A and B drugs across the South-East of England.
Since it's beginning in 2021, 'Operation Spartan', which focussed on this organised crime, led to:
- 25 arrests
- More than £1million in cash recovered
- Around 49kg of cocaine seized
- 1kg of heroin, 475g of ecstasy, 7kg of cannabis, and 4kg of ketamine seized
- 20 firearms seized
- And more than 20 other weapons seized.
Detective Inspector Yoni Adler said:
"“Ransome tried to turn a substantial profit by running a criminal enterprise that spanned across the southeast of England.
“This vast supply in illegal substances doubtless fuelled extensive violence, threats and the use of weapons associated with his drug dealing customer base.
“Distanced from this untold harm as a wholesale supplier, Ransome worked at arm’s length, trying to make a comfortable living out of sight of the misery of the drugs trade.
“He watched as we took down each of his associates, one by one.
“At an early stage, when he realised the net was closing and he likely faced arrest, he simply ran away, seeking to disappear and start a new life abroad.
“He’s remained on a ticking clock ever since – it was only a matter of time before he faced the music.
“Criminals like Ransome fail to appreciate the extent of the reach and cooperative working of law enforcement both in Essex and the UK, and across the world.
“Huge credit for Ransome’s ultimate arrest should go to our exemplary partners both in the National Crime Agency and in the Royal Thai Police Central Investigation Bureau.
“Closer to home, the public in Essex should feel reassured that we have teams working across the force to tackle the trade in drugs that fuels further violent crime in their county.
“Through cases like this, we are making a difference.”
Daniel Newell, NCA Regional Manager for Thailand said: “Ben Ransome ran a highly sophisticated operation with no regard for the lives he devastated through his crimes. He believed he could evade justice by fleeing the country, underestimating the reach of the NCA and international partners to track down fugitives. Through the joint efforts of the NCA, the Royal Thai Police – specifically the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Attorney General’s Office – and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we located and extradited Ransome back to the UK to face justice.”
Police Lieutenant General Nattasak Chaowanasai, CIB Commissioner added: “Regardless of where the crime is committed or what form it may take, CIB will remain fully committed to providing international cooperation of this nature and to strengthen our collective efforts in combating transnational organised crime.”