Six people have been jailed after police dismantled a multi-million-pound organised crime operation which supplied huge quantities of drugs across the UK.
Sussex Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit say the gang had criminal connections in London, Manchester, Bolton and Ramsgate and distributed drugs across the country between 2024 and 2025.
Investigators estimate the operation was responsible for supplying around 1.6 tonnes of cocaine, 159kg of cannabis, 61kg of heroin and 58kg of ketamine.
Police put the wholesale value of the drugs at more than £56 million.
Five members of the group were jailed at Lewes Crown Court in February, while a sixth man was sentenced earlier this month following a trial.
Chay Kastercum, 40, from St Leonards, was identified by police as the ringleader, managing couriers and addresses used to store drugs across the South East.
His arrest in July 2025 led to warrants being carried out in Bexhill, Hastings, Eastbourne, Ramsgate and London.
Police seized more than £212,000 in cash, drugs, cutting agents, imitation firearms, live ammunition and other weapons.
Kastercum admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin, cannabis and ketamine and was jailed for 16 years and six months.
Ricky Allen, 34, from Eastbourne, was identified as the gang’s main courier, travelling across the country to distribute drugs and money. He was jailed for seven years.
Kirsty Holman, 40, from Bexhill, was also sentenced to seven years, while Emma Billam, 42, from Battle, was jailed for four years and two months.
Lee Baden, 42, from St Leonards, received five years and ten months after police found he provided an address where multiple kilos of drugs were stored.
Further investigation identified Peter Kastercum, 60, from Ramsgate, as playing a significant role in the operation.
Police said he was involved in storing, supplying and repackaging more than 75kg of drugs from a flat in Ramsgate.
He was found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine following a trial at Lewes Crown Court and was sentenced on 7 September to 11 years in prison.
Superintendent Ed Faulkner said: “The magnitude of this operation disrupted by Sussex SOCU and SEROCU cannot be understated.
“This is a prominent step towards disrupting and dismantling major drugs operations in Sussex and across the country.”
He added that illegal drug supply was often linked to exploitation, violence and other crimes affecting young people and vulnerable adults.
Sussex Police said its work to disrupt organised crime groups would continue.
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