Man sentenced for his involvement in supplying class A and B drugs to people living in Cheltenham

A man has been sentenced for his involvement in supplying class A and B drugs to vulnerable people living in Cheltenham.

Riyley Hughes, aged 20 and formerly of Pinewood Road in Cheltenham, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday (17 January) where he was ordered to spend two years and nine months in a young offenders' institute.

Officers from Gloucestershire Constabulary's Vanguard Team became aware of Hughes' drug dealing while investigating a drugs line which was operating within the town.

Suspicions were raised about Hughes' involvement after officers received intelligence from drug users that he was dealing to them using a particular telephone number.

It was found that Hughes had been sending bulk text messages, including to his probation worker, offering drugs for sale.

One example of a text sent by Hughes is "Active Get Me Dropping 10s 20s Dnt Mis Out Rocki. Rocki Rode And Shool Cake An Chocolate Crunch 10 Pound Trays An 20 Pound Trays."

Hughes was located by police on 7 July last year (2024) as he was the passenger of a vehicle which had been stopped by officers. He was detained along with two others and found to have a burner style phone on him along with £270.

He was cautioned for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, however he grabbed the phone seized from him and ran away from officers.

Officers were unable to locate Hughes on the night but he was located in a flat the following morning. The mobile phone which was originally seized the night before was also found in the flat.

The phone was manually reviewed and a text message was found confirming a taxi booking. This taxi had been booked in the early hours of the morning and officers also found a text where Hughes told someone he had “Just gelled from police”.

He wasn't in possession of any drugs upon arrest but it was found that Hughes had sent 1,278 texts to vulnerable drug users between 22 May and 4 June 2024 offering the supply of class A and B drugs.

Hughes was subsequently charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, being concerned in the supply of heroin, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, escaping lawful custody and acquire/use/possess criminal property.

He had previously pleaded guilty to all of the charges. In mitigation it was explained how Hughes was easily led and had been forced to deal drugs by another man who was older than him.

As well as being sent to a young offenders' institute, Hughes was ordered to pay a surcharge of £228, forfeit and have his phone destroyed and forfeit £270.89 under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

A police spokesperson said: "The sheer number of text messages sent by Hughes shows how intent he was on selling drugs to vulnerable people living in Cheltenham.

"We are glad that Hughes has been taken off the streets and is no longer able to target the people that he had been dealing drugs to.

"This case is another example of how we are working tirelessly to disrupt those who think they can deal drugs in Gloucestershire."

Anyone who has concerns or intelligence about drug dealing can report this via the following link https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/soh/seen-or-heard/.

Alternatively you can report information anonymously through the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting their website: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously 

Riyley Hughes

 

Texts sent by Hughes

 

Texts sent by Hughes

 

Texts sent by Hughes