Drug dealer 'Kilo Chris' jailed for 19 years

A drug dealer from Bristol who was known as "Kilo Chris" has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for his part in a large drug operation in the south west.

Christopher Barbosa, 32, formerly of Sea Mills in Bristol, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court earlier.

He was affiliated with other high-profile drug dealers such as Bath-based Romaine Hyman, the Wiltshire-based Allison brothers and Alex Male from North Somerset.

Police said Barbosa bought at least 46kg of cocaine from Hyman at a cost of more than £1.5m in just two months.

Barbosa was arrested after officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) identified him as "Kilo-Chris", a key associate of Bath-based drug dealer Hyman, who was sentenced to 26 years in prison in 2022.

Barbosa went on the run, travelling across mainland Europe before being arrested in Paris while trying to continue his journey from Dubai to Barcelona.

He spent a year in custody in France, during which time he contested every stage of the extradition process. He was eventually returned to the UK in December last year.

Evidence from Barbosa's encrypted phone, where he used the handle 'Kilo-Chris', showed he purchased at least 46kg of cocaine from Hyman at a cost of £1.5m in just two months.

He also bought at least 20kg of cocaine from the Wiltshire-based Allison brothers, who were jailed in February as part of a separate £7m drugs conspiracy investigation, and 3kg from Male, who was jailed in December 2024 for 18 years.

Barbosa pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, conspiracy to conceal, disguise, transfer or remove criminal property and acquiring criminal property.

Barbosa used Robert Dent's home in Knowle West as a safe house, with James Hele acting as a courier.

Dent and Hele were jailed in 2023 for 12 years and 11 years respectively.

Det Ch Insp Adam Smith from SWROCU said: "Barbosa was very well connected to other serious criminals who were collectively making huge profits out of supplying class A drugs onto our streets.

"We've already seen others, including his suppliers and those who worked for him, receive significant jail time. Now it's his turn.

"Barbosa kept a low profile, letting others run the risk of storing and distributing drugs and money under his instruction.

"He'll have seen the sentences they've received while on the run.

"We all know the huge harm caused by the business they're in and the youth violence and exploitation it fuels."

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.