TWO men - including one who was arrested by armed police in Weymouth - have admitted their role in supplying cocaine and firearms to people across the country.
Organised crime officers welcomed the guilty pleas and said the nature of their crimes 'cause immeasurable harm to our communities’.
Ryan Playford, aged 48, of The Farthings, Warsash, Fareham, was charged with conspiring to supply a Class A drug – cocaine – conspiring to supply a Class B drug – cannabis – conspiring with others to possess/purchase/acquire prohibited weapons – handguns - and conspiring with others to sell or transfer unauthorized firearms or ammunition.
Playford also admitted a further count of fraud by false representation in relation to a separate incident.
Martyn McGhee, aged 53, of International Way, Weston, Southampton, was charged with conspiring with Playford and others to supply cocaine.
Their arrests and court appearances came following an investigation by specialist officers from the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU).
Both men were arrested on Wednesday, July 7 and subsequently charged in connection with the offences the following day.
Playford was stopped by undercover police officers off Hampshire Road, outside the entrance to the Dorset Echo building.
Counter Terrorism Policing South East and Regional Organised Crime Unit said at the time that officers carried out a ‘pre-planned operation’ to carry out the arrest.
Playford was placed in handcuffs and detained by two police officers wearing face coverings and police caps. One of the armed officers appeared to have a shotgun.
Both appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court where they entered guilty pleas to all of the charges.
Playford and McGhee were remanded in custody and are due to be sentenced at the same court on Friday, December 10.
Detective Inspector Clair Trueman, the senior investigating officer from SEROCU, welcomed their guilty pleas and observed how their criminal activity ‘causes immeasurable harm to our communities’.
She said: “This case shows that we will relentlessly pursue those involved in the supply of Class A drugs and firearms offences.
“This sort of criminal activity causes immeasurable harm to our communities.
“The overwhelming evidence presented resulted in Playford and McGhee entering guilty pleas for these serious offences.”
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