Exeter drug dealer jailed

News Desk
Authored by News Desk
Posted Monday, February 8, 2016 - 7:40pm

A man has been jailed at Exeter Crown Court today (Monday 8th February) following a police operation into the supply of drugs into the South West.

Leon Butt, 43, from Topsham, Exeter has been sentenced to 9 years and 7 months in prison with the addition of a five year Serious Crime Prevention Order upon release.

Operation Citadel was a complex investigation that was conducted by local neighbourhood Policing teams and Zephyr, The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Detective Inspector Rob Youngman from The Regional Organised Crime Investigation Team, said: “Op Citadel targeted a number of individuals responsible for the supply of Class A/B and C drugs onto the communities of the South West. The investigation initially began in Weston-Super-Mare and saw the conviction of Garry Parkinson and his group in June 2014. The investigation then led us to Exeter whereby Bret Seldon, Richard Armitage and their group were convicted in April 2015 for the Supply of Amphetamine.

“The final stage was again situated in Exeter, and focused on Leon Butt and led to the total seizure of drugs worth £1.8 million.”

“This sentence demonstrates the seriousness of the crimes. This was a complex investigation and the hard work demonstrated by Devon and Cornwall Police, the Crown Prosecution Service and Zephyr in working together to bring these offenders to justice and maintain the safety of our communities is commendable.

“This was the second significant conviction for Leon Butt and the operation demonstrates that those who supply drugs will be targeted and brought to justice.

“Zephyr and the Crown Prosecution Service have worked together to successfully apply for Serious Crime Prevention Orders so that once Leon Butt is released from prison, he will be closely monitored”.

As part of the investigation, five more people were charged with a number of drug related offences. Timothy Graham, James Carter, Liam Deacon, Tom Winsor and Mercia Winsor have all pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing and will be sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on the 4th of March.

Share this