MEMBERS of a major organised crime group found in possession of illegal drugs with a street value of more than £2.1m were sentenced to a total of 36 years and seven months imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court last Friday.

Among those who pleaded guilty to their part in the network was Kevin Davies, 29, a former Surrey Police officer of Rye Close, Cove, who has since been dismissed from the force.

He was convicted of misfeasance in a public office and perverting the course of justice and was sentenced to four months.

Three men pleaded guilty to their roles in the distribution network of illegal drugs and other commodities in the Frimley area.

Piers Ravenhill, 32, a personal fitness trainer from Ash Hill Road, Ash, was convicted of conspiracy to supply illegal drugs together with conspiracy to handle stolen vehicles and possession of a number of firearms. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Benjamin Rickwood, 29, co-owner of the Budokan Gymnasium and from Marrowbrook, Farnborough, was convicted of conspiracy to supply illegal drugs together with possession of illegal drugs, conspiracy to handle stolen vehicles, and possession of counterfeit currency. He was sentenced to 13 years

Daniel Clark, 31, a plasterer from Sickle Road, Haslemere, was convicted of conspiracy to supply illegal drugs and was sentenced to five years.

A further two people also pleaded guilty to their part within the network.

Jason Brock, 35, a photocopier engineer from Purbrook Court, Bracknell, who was convicted of possession of steroids with intent to supply and offering to supply, together with perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced to four months.

Emma Barnett, of Rye Close, Guildford, a 31-year-old member of Surrey Police support staff who has since been dismissed, was convicted of disclosure of information and possession of cannabis and was sentenced to 11 months.

The group was arrested in March 2003 following the seizure of the largest ever haul of cannabis and cocaine in the county together with, what was at the time, the biggest seizure of ecstasy by the force. The total street value of drugs involved came to in excess of £2.1 million.

Surrey Police had undertaken a five-month proactive, intelligence-led, investigation based on the Budokan Gym in Frimley.

This culminated on March 19 and 20, 2003, in a series of 42 raids in Surrey and North East Hampshire involving more than 500 officers, including some from Hampshire and Sussex Police forces.

Rickwood, one of the owners of the gym, was found to be involved in large-scale drug dealing. He was also involved in the handling of luxury cars such as Lexus and BMW, selling them for a fraction of their true value. He also supplied counterfeit $100 bills.

Ravenhill was supplying Rickwood with the drugs and was also involved in handling the stolen cars.

When his home was searched a store of drugs, together with two hydraulic presses used for the production of compressed cocaine, was recovered from an outbuilding.

In a nearby house officers recovered a loaded sawn-off double-barrelled shotgun, a pistol, ammunition, a stun gun, a number of CS canisters, and a large quantity of cash.

During the investigation officers became aware that Rickwood had contacts within Surrey Police which could have put the whole police operation in jeopardy.

This ultimately resulted in the arrests of Davies and Barnett.

Davies admitted having made use of his access to police computers to check for information on those involved and not disclosing his knowledge of the offences being committed.

Barnett made use of her access to police computers to check records of people and vehicles.

Commenting on the outcome of the case, Detective Chief Inspector Simon Humphreys said: "This is an excellent result which follows a lengthy and complicated investigation and has taken a major crime gang that was making money out of the supply of illegal drugs to local people, off the streets of Surrey.

"We are determined to crack down on the supply of hard drugs and bring more of those involved in this trade to justice. The gang would deal in any commodity that would make them money including drugs, stolen cars, and counterfeit currency.

"The investigation revealed that a Surrey Police officer and a member of our civilian staff had also been involved.

"We will not tolerate corrupt or dishonest officers or staff in the force and I am delighted that these bad apples have been rooted out. We will not hesitate to deal with offenders wherever we find them.

"People in Surrey should feel safer and more secure as a result of this investigation and the results obtained here today. These sentences will have an impact in the local criminal fraternity for many months to come."