A drug kingpin from Essex who orchestrated a multi-million pound narcotics network and fled to Thailand to reinvent himself as a boxer has been sentenced to 14 years in prison.
The Criminal Network Unravelled
Ben Ransome, 29, was the mastermind behind a sophisticated criminal enterprise that supplied vast quantities of cocaine and ketamine across southeast England. His operation began to crumble in February 2022, when police observed him leaving his home in Ethelred Gardens, Wickford, and handing a bag to an associate.
The courier, 42-year-old Charlie Lancaster, was followed and stopped by officers. A search of his vehicle uncovered nine kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value of £900,000. Lancaster was later sentenced to six years behind bars.
Flight, Reinvention and International Manhunt
Seeing his network collapse, Ransome fled the UK in March 2022, initially flying to Malaga in Spain. From there, he continued to direct his drug supply chain remotely. By September 2024, he had relocated to Thailand, where he attempted to create a new life on the island of Phuket under the alias 'Billy Roberts', posing as a boxer.
Detective Inspector Yoni Adler of Essex Police commented on Ransome's attempt to escape justice. "He watched as we took down each of his associates, one by one," Adler said. "When he realised the net was closing, he simply ran away, seeking to disappear. He's remained on a ticking clock ever since."
Meanwhile, the police crackdown continued in the UK. Key figures in Ransome's syndicate were apprehended, including a mother-and-son duo and Kieran Grant, 44, who was linked to the distribution of around £20 million worth of drugs in a single month. The gang's primary supplier, David Glover, 36, received a 23-year prison sentence.
Extradition and Final Reckoning
The long arm of the law finally caught up with Ransome in Thailand in September 2024, following a complex operation involving the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Royal Thai Police Central Investigation Bureau. He was extradited back to the UK in July 2025.
Upon his return, Ransome pleaded guilty to a series of charges, including:
- Conspiring to supply cocaine and ketamine.
- Possession of criminal property.
- Supplying a Class A controlled drug (cocaine).
At Chelmsford Crown Court, he was handed a 14-year prison sentence, marking the final prosecution of a major organised crime group. The key members of Ransome's network have now received a combined total of over 50 years in prison.
The investigation led to significant seizures, including:
- More than £1 million in cash.
- Almost 49 kilograms of cocaine.
- 20 firearms removed from the streets.
DI Adler emphasised the wider impact of Ransome's crimes: "This vast supply of illegal substances doubtless fuelled extensive violence, threats and the use of weapons... Ransome worked at arm's length, trying to make a comfortable living out of sight of the misery of the drugs trade."
He also praised the collaborative effort that led to Ransome's capture, highlighting the work of the NCA, Crown Prosecution Service, and Thai authorities. "Criminals like Ransome fail to appreciate the extent of the reach and cooperative working of law enforcement both in Essex and the UK, and across the world," Adler concluded.
