High Wycombe man JAILED for 12 years for drug conspiracy

Josh Vaux, of Hillary Road, was found guilty following a trial last week of one count of conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug, namely cocaine.

The 26-year-old's activity was discovered as a result of information following an operation in response to the takedown of an encrypted platform called EnchroChat.

He was involved in ordering and purchasing cocaine between March 2020 and August 2020 and regularly met with two other men to exchange the drug, and cash, in the High Wycombe, Aylesbury and Princes Risborough areas.

The two other men were sentenced in December 2021.

Zaakir Shah, aged 25, formerly of Risborough Road, Little Kimble; and Scott Bryant, aged 60, formerly of Coronet Road, Broughton, Aylesbury, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug, namely cocaine.

Scott Bryant

They were both sentenced to seven and a half years’ imprisonment.

In August 2020, a number of warrants were carried out at addresses linked to the three men.

Just under 400g of cocaine with scales and packaging were found along with approximately £21,000 in cash.

A VW Golf and a Mercedes van were also seized.

Officers found a device inside the car that was designed to detect the radio frequency of police vehicles and inside the van they found a hidden compartment which is believed to be how Vaux transported and concealed the drugs.

Zaakir Shah

Vaux was arrested on August 25 2020 and charged on March 5 2021.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Beck Hurley-Brydon, of the Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “I am pleased that Vaux has received a custodial sentence as a result of a brilliant proactive investigation by the Serious Organised Crime Unit.

“Vaux was part of a group who utilised sophisticated technology to commit their crimes and he will now join his two counterparts in prison. They were convicted and sentenced at the end of last year.

“I hope this serves as an example that we do not tolerate the purchasing and distribution of drugs in our communities and will work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice.

“If you have any information about drugs in your communities, please report this to us by calling 101 or via our website.

“You can also make anonymous reports through the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via the charity’s website.”