Gang jailed for 30 years after Spice factory found in Swindon

The group was made up of five members including central figure Quyen To, 42, of William Morris Way in Swindon.

Swindon man To was responsible for the import, export and production of class B synthetic cannabinoids, known as Spice, and pleaded guilty to the charges.

Appearing before Bristol Crown Court on Friday, April 5, the group were sentenced to more than 30 years in prison between them, with Quyen To facing a 16-year sentence.

The investigation into the organised crime group, led by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) first began in the summer of 2020 when ithe UK Border Force intercepted 4kg of Spice crystals that were on their way to properties owned by or associated with Quyen To in Swindon.

The seizure of these packages resulted in warrants at his home address in Swindon and at Lightning Road in Calne.

When SWROCU officers turned up at his home, they discovered what they described as a drug production factory in the garage.

Just some of the Spice production paraphernalia found at To's home. (Image: Wiltshire Police)

Paraphernalia associated with the production of Spice, including marshmallow leaf, rat poison, and sweet flavourings, were all found and To's nephew, 17-year-old Rio Nguyen, was arrested at the scene for preparing the drugs.

In total, 40 kilos of class B drugs were seized from Quyen To’s home, as well as computers, phones and receipts showing that he had been distributing packages containing spice around the world to countries including Kuwait and Nigeria, as well as smaller deals across the UK.

SWROCU investigators were later able to prove that To had been aided by a network of friends and family including his estranged wife Kati To, 42, from Wiltshire, his sister Vicky To, 40 from London, and Michael Clarke, 58, from London.

Vicky To, Michael Clarke, and Rio Nguyen previously pleaded not guilty to any involvement but were found guilty by a jury at Bristol Crown Court on 9 December last year.

Quyen To (Image: Wiltshire Police)

DI Claire Smith from SWROCU said: “This has been a lengthy investigation with officers having to make significant digital and financial enquiries both in the UK and overseas.

“Quyen To and his accomplices have shown utter disregard for human life having manufactured and distributed vast quantities of Spice around the world.

"The activities and criminality of this group were driven by greed and financial gain and I am pleased to see significant prison sentences have been handed down.

“The convictions in this case should act as a clear deterrent to those pursuing such criminal activity.”

James Foster, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS Wessex, added: “We worked closely with investigators to ensure the members of this organised crime group were brought to justice.

“Drug supply has a corrosive impact upon society and destroys lives. I hope the sentences imposed provide a deterrent to those engaging in these illegal endeavours."

Clarke, who received parcels containing Spice from China on behalf of Quyen To, was found guilty of importation and conspiracy to supply class B drugs and handed seven years.

Vicky To was found guilty of importation, exportation and supply of class B drugs and was sentenced to six years.

Quyen To’s nephew, Rio, who was packing and sending drugs abroad was given two years and two months for exportation and supply of class B drugs. 

Kati To, who made payments abroad on behalf of her estranged husband, previously pleaded guilty to money laundering and received a 10-month sentence suspended for 12 months as well as 40 hours of unpaid work.