Six charged as suspected drugs lab found

Six men have been charged following the discovery of a suspected drugs laboratory near Bitton where it is believed class A drugs, including cocaine, and class B drugs, including mephedrone, were being produced.

The following were arrested as part of a South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) investigation in the early hours of Thursday 26 March:

1. Aaron Stevenson, 30, from St Mary’s-with-Summercombe, Brixham 
2. Callum Thorpe, 23, from Leigh, Greater Manchester 
3. Samual Oram, 39, from Cathays, Cardiff 
4. Abdul Laftah, 48, from Leek, Staffordshire 
5. Ian Boyle, 32, from Royston, Hertfordshire 
6. Simon Khan, 46, from Warmley, South Gloucestershire 

All have all been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and conspiracy to produce a controlled drug of class B. Khan has also been charged with possession of counterfeit currency.

They have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (28 March).

Police are continuing to search the large industrial unit on Bath Road, which is expected to take several days.