Five-year Surrey drugs investigation ends with ten people convicted
A five-year investigation into a drugs network has ended with ten people convicted, according to Surrey Police.
Police said officers traced the operation from a Dorking property to drug caches hidden in woodland, and ultimately identified a supplier higher up the chain.
"What initially appeared to be a relatively straightforward drugs enquiry would soon spark an investigation spanning far wider,” a Surrey Police statement read.
"The investigation began in 2021 when officers from the Mole Valley safer neighbourhood team received intelligence that a property in Dorking was linked to the supply of drugs.
“Officers secured a search warrant and whilst gaining access to the property, Curtis Funnel, 33, was seen moving around inside. He was found attempting to hide 12.1g of cocaine in a can of grey paint.”
Evidence seized during Funnel’s arrest, ‘including phones and financial records’, gave officers their ‘next lead’ – Nathan Bailey, 31.
The statement continued: “As part of the investigation, Nathan was identified as having financial assets and irregularities which are now subject to future Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings. In other words, officers established that his lifestyle appeared to be significantly beyond his means and inconsistent with his declared earnings.
“The investigation continued to widen.
“In July 2021, Jordan Wallace, 26, was arrested at a property where officers found over 624g of cannabis, 3g of cocaine and over £3145.00 in cash. The total value of the controlled drugs seized was estimated at £6165.
“A few days later, officers arrested Liam Bailey, 31.
"A review of Liam’s phone showed he was aware of Jordan's arrest and officers' arrival at his address.”
Police said a warrant was carried out at a connected property – ‘resulting in the recovery of cannabis worth an estimated £10,500 and over £2000 in cash’.
They added: “By this point, officers began to build a much clearer picture of the scale of the operation.
“Enquiries led officers to two properties linked to Callum Bailey, 24, and Caitlin Bailey, 23, who were both arrested on suspicion of drug supply offences. Address searches led to the seizure of 814g of Cannabis, over £2740 in cash and multiple labels and stickers believed to be associated with cannabis packaging.”
Police said the drugs seized during the two warrants were later valued by a police drug expert at £8,140.
The investigation ‘continued to gain pace’.
The Surrey Police statement read: “In February 2022, officers identified Jack Brydges, 29, and Daniel Reynolds-Knight, 27, who were linked to the network. Further warrants and address searches resulted in the seizure of 7.42kg of cannabis, with a potential value of around £70,255, which the pair where housing on behalf of Callum Bailey.
“By this stage, eight people had been arrested, but the work to tackle the harm caused by the drugs network did not stop there.
“As part of the investigation, officers from the Mole Valley safer neighbourhood team spent three days working alongside partner agencies to support vulnerable people, address drug-related harm and disrupt the conditions in which organised criminal groups operate.”
In February 2022, a temporary drug rehabilitation drop-in centre was established to provide access to support where there was no local facility. Representatives from various partner agencies were involved, with a dedicated telephone referral route also established for people who were unable or did not wish to attend in person. Joint visits were also carried out to support those who were vulnerable and at risk of being exploited.
But there was still more work to be done.
In September 2023, officers from Surrey Police’s proactive investigation team were ‘out on a routine patrol’, when they spotted Callum Bailey. He had been released on bail pending further enquiries, walking from woodland known locally as 'The Nower', police said.
They added: “He was stopped and searched, where officers discovered him in possession of cash and drugs hidden on his person. Searches of the woodlands were then conducted, which uncovered multiple 'hides' containing various quantities of cocaine.
“Behind the scenes, further intelligence work continued to point officers towards Callum. In 2025, analysis of Callum's devices led officers from our Serious Organised Crime Unit further up the supply chain to a phone number providing Callum with drugs.
“By chance, in March 2025, Aaron Farrington, 30, was arrested following a routine stop and was found with a large quantity of cannabis in his vehicle.
“A mobile phone from him proved crucial, leading officers to over 14,000 messages between Farrington and the same number supplying Callum Bailey. The user of this phone number was identified as Daniel Petruzziello, 38, with messages discussing the collection and distribution of drugs and the movement of huge amounts of money.”
Police said officers later went to arrest Petruzziello at an address in Woking.
"He threw a mobile phone from an eleventh-floor balcony,” a police spokesperson said.
"Despite being broken on impact, the phone was recovered and identified as the main drug line.
“With the final link in the chain secured, the drugs network was dismantled.”
The group were sentenced as follows, after appearing at Guildford Crown Court on August 13:
– Curtis Funnel, 33 (DOB: 31/12/1992) and Nathan Bailey, 31 (DOB: 22/07/1995) were each sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years;
– Jordan Wallace, 26, (DOB: 10/05/2000) was sentenced to five years and one month’s imprisonment;
– Liam Bailey, 31 (DOB: 02/09/1994) was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment suspended for 12 months. He will also be required to carry out rehabilitation activity and unpaid work;
– Callum Bailey, 24 (DOB: 06/07/2002) was sentenced to six years' imprisonment;
– Caitlin Bailey, 23, (DOB: 03/06/2003) received a 12-month community order, and will be subject to an electronically monitored curfew;
– Jack Brydges, 29, (DOB: 15/05/1997) received a 15-month community order, and will be subject to an electronically monitored curfew and required to carry out rehabilitation activity;
– Daniel Reynolds-Knight, 27 (DOB: 28/11/1998) received a 12-month community order and will be required to carry out unpaid work;
– Aaron Farrington, 30 (DOB: 22/07/1996) was sentenced to three years and four months’ imprisonment;
– Daniel Petruzziello, 38 (DOB: 15/11/1987) was sentenced to eight and a half years' imprisonment.
Detective Sergeant Elliott Hartley, one of the lead investigating officers, led the early stages of the investigation in Mole Valley.
He said: "This was a hugely complex investigation which began with intelligence about what initially appeared to be a relatively small-scale drugs operation, but which quickly developed into something much wider.
"Over the course of five years, our officers followed every line of enquiry, building evidence piece by piece and working tirelessly to identify those involved, understand the roles they played in the operation and ultimately dismantle the network.
"Drugs have a devastating impact on individuals, families and entire communities. Behind every drug line is the potential for exploitation, violence, intimidation and wider criminality, and that is why tackling the supply of drugs remains a priority for us.
"This result is a real testament to the persistence and collaboration of everyone involved. It shows that even when an investigation stretches over a number of years, we will continue to follow the evidence and work together to relentlessly pursue criminals and help protect our communities from harm."
If you’re concerned drug dealing might be happening in your area, you are asked send Surrey Police, a private message or make contact online. You can also call charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.