Three held after Crime Squad raid

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Saturday 1st Mar 2003.

THREE men appeared before Swindon magistrates facing a string of drug trafficking, firearms and money laundering charges.

The allegations follow an intensive investigation by the National Crime Squad entitled Operation Drumstick, which was run with HM Customs and Excise and extended as far as Belgium.

As a result arrests were made in London in which a pensioner was found with half a million pounds in cash and a firearm.

Reginald Tottman, 62, of Birch Glade, Park Place, Ashton Keynes, was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis, conspiracy to import cocaine and cannabis, supplying cannabis and money laundering.

Simon McKinley, 30, of Maunsell Way, Wroughton, was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis.

Derrick Walpole, 64, of Windmill Platt, Handcross, West Sussex, was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis, conspiracy to import cocaine and cannabis, possession of a firearm and ammunition and money laundering.

Remanding the men in custody, magistrates committed the case to Swindon Crown Court on March 7.

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