Park Gate man charged over cocaine conspiracy and firearms offences involving handguns

Ryan Playford, 47, of The Farthings, Park Gate, appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

He was charged with conspiring to supply cocaine and cannabis, possessing/purchasing or acquiring prohibited weapons, selling or transferring unauthorised firearms or ammunition and fraud.

Magistrates were told the firearm charges – alleged to have taken place between April 4 and June 5 last year – relate to handguns.

The court heard the fraud charge relates to allegedly dishonestly reporting his vehicle as stolen on May 15 last year.

The conspiracy charges relate span between March 25 last year – the day the first lockdown was announced – and June 6 the same year.

Martyn McGhee, 53, of International Way, Weston, Southampton, was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine.

It comes after an investigation by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Both men were arrested on July 7. Playford was held in Weymouth while McGhee was arrested in Islington.

They were remanded in custody to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on August 9.

No pleas were entered.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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