South Gloucestershire man jailed after firearm and drugs haul discovered

A man found in possession of a rifle, ammunition and illegal drugs has appeared at Bristol Crown Court today (18 September) and sentenced following an investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).

Ellis Kow, 25, of Courtney Way in Kingswood was arrested by Firearms Officers from Avon and Somerset Police at his home address in March. Kow’s Mercedes and a Vauxhall Insignia he had the keys for were searched and a rifle, ammunition and over nine kilos of heroin and two kilos of cocaine were found. 

At his home, SWROCU officers seized a large amount of designer clothes, bags, trainers and a Rolex watch. 

Kow was also in possession of keys to a number of industrial units located at The Printworks in Foundry Lane, Speedwell, which were searched. There, a cannabis grow made up of 318 plants was located along with growing equipment and three kilos of vacuum-packed harvested cannabis. 

Also present were chemicals and equipment consistent with the processing and preparation of kilogram quantities of class A drugs.  

Today, Kow was sentenced to nine years and four months having pleaded guilty to: 

• Possession with intent to supply class A (heroin)  

• Possession with intent to supply class A (cocaine) 

• Possession with intent to supply class B (cannabis) 

• Production of cannabis  

• Possession of a firearm without a certificate 

• Possession of ammunition without a certificate 

• Possession of criminal property (cash) 

Detective Chief Inspector Adam Smith from SWROCU said:  

"Kow was a key figure in a sophisticated organised crime group responsible for supplying large quantities of drugs across our region. His access to a rifle and live ammunition demonstrates the serious threat posed by those involved in this type of offending.

“Kow exerted significant influence within the group, overseeing the purchase, storage and distribution of class A drugs in wholesale quantities. He also managed the site where large amounts of cannabis were cultivated and harvested.

“There is no doubt that this was a highly lucrative criminal enterprise. The drugs seized during our investigation had the potential to generate criminal profits of up to £1.1 million. Today's sentence reflects the scale of Kow's offending and ensures he can no longer profit from the misery caused by illegal drugs.

"Our work does not stop here. We will now seek to recover his criminal assets and ensure he is deprived of the proceeds of his crime."