Farmhouse drug trafficker's sentence increased

A drug trafficker has had his prison sentence extended after the Court of Appeal deemed his initial punishment too lenient.

Stephen Wills, 36, from Bridford, Exeter, was sentenced to nine years in prison in March for his role in two organised crime groups that trafficked large quantities of cocaine across the country.

However his sentence was increased to 14 years on Thursday after a referral under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme by Solicitor General Lucy Rigby.

Wills was convicted at Exeter Crown Court of conspiracy to supply and possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs, as well as possession of a prohibited firearm.

The court heard that between 2019 and 2020, Wills operated from a rented farmhouse, using outbuildings to store and package cocaine and cultivate cannabis.

He was linked to a London-based foreign crime group supplying drugs to dealers in Exeter.

Police arrested Wills on 1 May 2020 after stopping his vehicle.

A search of his property uncovered firearms, ammunition, and more than £46,000 worth of cocaine.

Wills, who has 33 previous convictions, including firearm offences, had been prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition since 2018.

Despite this, he was convicted in 2021 for illegally possessing an air rifle and ammunition.

Solicitor General Lucy Rigby said: "We know that the impact of organised crime on our communities is devastating and I welcome the court's decision to increase Wills' sentence following my intervention."

Four other men have also been convicted for their roles in the gang.

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