FIVE people are due to be sentenced next month for their part in a conspiracy to supply class-A drugs in Chippenham.

A six month investigation by the Wiltshire Police Dedicated Crime Team uncovered a conspiracy which had the potential to bring crack cocaine and heroin into Chippenham with an estimated street value of approximately £95,500.

Paul Chevolleau, 41, of Louise Rayner Place, Chippenham; Beverley Jones, 51, of Royal Oak Close, Chippenham; Raymond Dagostino, 30, of The Halve, Trowbridge; Christopher Burgess, 48, of Bolts Croft, Chippenham; and Wayne Trought, 34, of Burchells Green Road, Speedwell, Bristol; are due to be sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on August 28.

The investigation began on June 18, 2014, when officers stopped a vehicle being driven along Malmesbury Road with Chevolleau in the passenger seat.

Evidence of drug use and drug supply was discovered inside the car, and although no drugs were found at the time, Chevolleau was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class-A drugs.

He was held in custody and Chevolleau, who is thought to have swallowed the drugs, eventually passed – crack-cocaine and heroin - worth £610.

Then, on August 11, a vehicle driven by Burgess and carrying Chevolleau and Jones, was stopped by officers on the A350 following intelligence which led officers to believe the group had been to Bristol to purchase drugs from Trought.

When no drugs were found, the three were released and returned to Jones’ home address, where officers forced entry and later arrested all three after drugs paraphernalia was found on the kitchen table.

Automatic number plate recognition and mobile phone analysis carried out by the team discovered Trought was the main dealer and that Chevolleau had made 102 trips back and forth to Bristol between June 18 and October 27 last year.

Then, on October 27, officers were sent to Bristol where it was believed the Chippenham-based drug dealers were going to collect drugs from Trought.

At about 6pm, Trought was arrested for conspiracy to supply class-A drugs despite fighting violently with officers in an attempt to escape.

He attempted to throw away two packages which were found to contain a ½ ounce of heroin and a ¼ ounce of crack cocaine.

Chevolleau was also arrested for the same offence and was found to be in possession of £280 cash hidden in his sock.

A search of Trought’s address was later conducted where crack cocaine and heroin with an estimated potential street value of around £20,978 was discovered in a bedroom wardrobe as well as £39,920 in cash. A VW Golf GTI was also seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Trought, Burgess and Dagostino all pleaded guilty to the charge at the earliest opportunity, while Chevolleau and Jones pleaded not guilty but were unanimously found guilty at trial at Swindon Crown Court last week.

Dedicated Crime Team Sergeant Geoff Smith said: “This whole six-month investigation was a result of ANPR and phone analysis which enabled us to see how often these dealers were travelling to Bristol.

“At the top of this chain we have Wayne Trought, who went by the street name Wanda. He was arrested after a violent fight with officers to try and escape but was overpowered after a struggle.

“Chevolleau and Jones have been dealing drugs within the Chippenham area for many years and finally we are expecting them both to receive significant custodial sentences in August.

"Meanwhile, Dagostino and Burgess were being used as drivers in the conspiracy, transporting Chevolleau and Jones to and from Bristol.

“Chevolleau has been leading a lifestyle most honest, hardworking people can only dream of, with all the latest gadgets including games consoles and top of the range televisions, all funded by his drugs habit and all while claiming benefits. These items have now been seized by the team.

“This investigation highlights how determined we are to tackle drug dealers in Wiltshire and also sends a message out to others that we will not tolerate this type of criminality in our county.

"Criminals do not just stick to geographical boundaries and if we believe drugs are being brought into our county, we will use all of our powers and resources to ensure that this is stopped and justice is done.

“Drug dealing and drug misuse not only ruin the lives of those who take them, but also the wider community. Drugs supply is often linked to anti-social behaviour and the exploitation of vulnerable members of society.

“Anyone with information on any illegal activity should contact Wiltshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously if preferred.”