A FORMER pub landlord who masterminded a multi-million pound drug smuggling ring has been jailed for 20 years.

Graham Ellis, 56, who ran the Cricketers Inn, in London Road, Westcliff, was found guilty of conspiring to import and supply both cocaine and heroin, and possession of £50,000 of criminal funds.

Graham was jailed alongside his son Gareth, 36, of Grosvenor Road, Westcliff, who was sentenced to nine years after admitting conspiracy to import and supply the class A drugs.

Two other men, Gary Malone, 44, of London Road, Wokingham, Berkshire, and Ian Hall, 35, of Navenby Road, Wigan, were also convicted as part of the drugs ring.

Graham Ellis ran the Cricketers Inn, Westcliff, until he was arrested on July 11, 2014.

Speaking after the men were sentenced at Southwark Crown Court yesterday, Det Con Steve Masterson, from the Metropolitan Police’s organised crime command, said: “These three individuals thought they had found a foolproof way of smuggling millions of pounds of cocaine and heroin into the country.

“They were very wrong.

“These significant sentences should act as a warning to those who would seek to smuggle class A drugs into the UK.

“The Metropolitan Police will use all of its experience to pursue you and ensure you face justice.”

Graham Ellis had denied the charges during a three-week trial.

Malone had also denied charges of conspiring to import and supply class A drugs, but was convicted and jailed for 12 years.

Hall was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison after he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs at St Albans Crown Court last July.

The gang brought 26kgs of highgrade cocaine and heroin, with a street value of £3.5million, into the country, the court heard.

A financial investigation is ongoing to identify and seize the gang’s assets.

Pub run by family firm

GRAHAM Ellis took over the Cricketers Inn during 2013, after former landlord Fred Spring junior passed away.

The pub is owned by Chelmsford-based family business Gray and Sons.

Ellis and his son were arrested last July and in October 2014 respectively.

Gray and Sons’ general manager John Hubbard, said: “While the investigation continues and Graham is absent, we have taken steps and I have now become the designated premises supervisor for the pub.”

The investigation is now over, but no one from Gray and Sons was available for comment yesterday when contacted by the Echo.

In Ellis’ absence, staff at the pub have raised funds to replace an iPad for the disabled daughter of one of their regulars, who had her’s stolen.