A criminal who led a gang flooding the South West with multi-kilo quantities of drugs has seen his prison term significantly increased after his operation was exposed through a connection to a Birmingham-based courier.
From Birmingham Courier to South West Kingpin
William Free, aged 30, was the mastermind behind a sophisticated organised crime group responsible for distributing vast amounts of cocaine, ketamine, and cannabis. However, his downfall began when investigators from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) identified his association with Anthony Cunningham, 32, from Castle Bromwich, in March 2022.
Cunningham acted as a key courier for a separate 10-strong gang, delivering what authorities described as 'wholesale quantities of cocaine' from the Midlands to the South West. He was known to have transported between 10kg and 15kg of cocaine on behalf of that group, with an estimated street value of £1 million to £1.5 million. He also moved ketamine and cannabis into the Avon and Somerset region. Cunningham is currently serving a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence following a related SWROCU probe.
The Cash-Filled Handover and Police Takedown
The investigation captured a pivotal moment in Taunton where Free was observed removing a large, heavy holdall from his car boot. He then walked towards a vehicle driven by Cunningham and unloaded two large black refuse sacks into its boot.
Shortly after this exchange, and while Cunningham was driving back to the Midlands, police stopped his car on the M5 in South Gloucestershire. A search revealed the sacks contained a staggering £264,625 in cash. Officers discovered a further £39,855 behind the driver's seat.
Later in 2022, officers tracked Free and his associates as they sourced cannabis from another organised crime group based in Essex. Crucially, evidence extracted from Free's mobile phone laid bare the scale of the conspiracy. The data showed that between March and December 2022, he conspired to supply approximately:
- 58kg of cocaine
- 53kg of cannabis
- 45kg of ketamine
During this period, the group also transferred around £1.6 million in criminal cash.
Substantial Sentence for Major Operation
Free, who was already serving an 11-year sentence, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs – namely cocaine, ketamine, and cannabis. The prosecution followed a major investigation led by the SWROCU.
When he appeared at Taunton Crown Court on December 17, the judge sentenced him to an additional six years in prison. This new term is to run consecutively to his existing sentence, bringing his total jail time to 17 years.
This case highlights how cross-regional criminal links, such as the connection between Free's South West network and a Midlands courier, are crucial targets for dedicated regional organised crime units. The successful prosecution and hefty sentence demonstrate the ongoing efforts to dismantle large-scale drug supply operations across the UK.
