British Soldiers on Trial for Drug Trafficking

A cocaine-dealing ring of British soldiers is on trial at Bulford Military Court for selling nearly £100,000 worth of drugs to fellow servicemen over three years. The operation, led by Rifleman Claudius Scott and supported by Rifleman Ryan Saedi, alongside trusted dealers Lance Corporal Bradley Hesketh and Rifleman Ashleigh Walker, sold one kilogram of cocaine at prices reaching £100 per gram. Prosecutor Will Martin revealed that the soldiers spent their profits on luxury items, including a Rolex watch and Christian Louboutin shoes, while also cutting the cocaine with caffeine. The court also heard that one of the defendants ran a payday loan scheme that contributed to the suicide of a young soldier, Nathan Worner. All four defendants, part of the 5 Rifles Battalion, have admitted to conspiracy to supply drugs, with Scott and Saedi reportedly earning over £40,000 each from the operation. The drug distribution occurred from January 2018 to December 2020, with the cocaine sourced from west London.