SerpApi.Org
Three men have been jailed for a total of 28 years for their involvement in a drugs and illegal firearms operation worth £3.75 million.
Craig Bennett, 41, who fled to Spain and was extradited back to the UK in August 2025, masterminded the large-scale criminal operation which involved supplying Class A and B drugs, firearms, and money laundering.
Bennett directed couriers Gerald Tohill, 60, from Bracknell, and Lucien Robinson, 38, from Wokingham to collect and distribute illicit cash and drugs on numerous occasions.
Her Honour Judge Drake sentenced Bennett to 14 years in prison, Lucien to five years in prison and Tohill to nine years in prison at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday.
The NCA launched an investigation into Bennett after he was identified as a user of Encrochat – an encrypted communications platform used by criminals to communicate anonymously with each other under aliases.
Bennett was arrested in Barcelona in July 2025 during a Policía Nacional operation supported by National Crime Agency International Liaison Officers.
Encrochat was infiltrated by international law enforcement in 2020, allowing investigators to read millions of messages.
The NCA said officers were able to use messages from March to June 2020 between Bennett and his crew to build a picture of their criminality.
Bennett, who controlled the acquisition of significant quantities of cocaine, ketamine, cannabis and hash, acted as a "broker" between suppliers and clients, Reading Crown Court heard on Tuesday.
He exchanged passwords, locations, timings and vehicle details for the handovers, receiving a portion of the sale price as payment.
Lucien Robinson's father, 75-year-old Peter Robinson from Berkshire, was also involved in hiding cash for the enterprise.
Peter Robinson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conceal, convert or transfer criminal property in December 2025.
He was sentenced on 6 June 2026 to 12 months in prison, suspended for 12 months.
Bennett and Lucien pleaded guilty to their offences at Reading Crown Court in late 2025, with Tohill convicted at trial in March 2026.
Bennett pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to supply cocaine and three counts of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, namely cannabis, hash and ketamine.
He was also convicted of three counts of conspiracy to sell or transfer a prohibited weapon, conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited ammunition and conspiracy to conceal, convert or transfer criminal property.
Lucien pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply ketamine, conspiracy to conceal, convert or transfer criminal property and conspiracy to acquire use or possess criminal property.
Tohill was convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply ketamine and conspiracy to conceal, convert or transfer criminal property.
On Tuesday Reading Crown Court heard a series of messages between Lucien and Bennett on Encrochat, which were cross-examined.
Judge Drake said she found Lucien's account of the messages "unimpressive" and "inconsistent".
The court heard that Lucien had been struggling with a drug addiction and debt prior to the operation in 2020.
"I have no reason not to accept that his initial involvement at the beginning came out of his drug use," said Judge Drake.
"But it rolled into him quite clearly seeking significant financial benefit."
While his defence counsel, Justin Rivett, argued that Lucien's role was “lesser” and that he benefited little from the operation, Judge Drake said his role fell within the category of "significant".
Meanwhile, Judge Drake said Tohill was involved in the operation for "several months" and "had an understanding of the type of work you were undertaking".
She said he was more than a "mere courier" and that his trial heard "compelling" evidence.
In total the organised crime group were linked to the supply of 91.8 kilos of drugs with a street value of £3.75m, the NCA said.
Evidence recovered from Bennett's phone further revealed that he was involved in moving two firearms, ammunition and a a silencer, proving “lethal intent”.
Sentencing, Judge Drake said: "It is quite clear for each and every one of you your offending was so serious that only a custodial sentence is appropriate."
She said the men will be eligible for automatic release after serving half of their sentence and will spend the rest on licence.
Bennett and Lucien's sentences were reduced due to their guilty pleas.
NCA Senior Investigating Officer John Turner, said: "Bennett was the linchpin of this conspiracy to bring harmful drugs into the UK as well as seeking access to potentially deadly weapons.
"He directed the movements of his co-conspirators, all of them benefiting from the damage they were inflicting to individuals in our communities.
"Criminals who used Encrochat believed they were beyond the reach of the law, but this case along with numerous others proves otherwise.
"The NCA along with partners at home and abroad will continue to track down serious offenders and protect the public from their criminality."
