A 43-YEAR-OLD Drybrook man has been charged with terrorism and drug offences after an operation involving three police forces.

Toby Shone, of The Cross, Drybrook, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday and was remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey in London on February 19.

He was initially arrested and bailed in November when counter-terrorism officers backed by local police searched a number of locations in the Forest and Ross-on-Wye.

At the time, police searched a storage container at Sling Self Storage and the derelict Riverside pub in Ross-on-Wye and were also seen in numbers in Cinderford and Drybrook.

A Gloucestershire Police spokesperson said after Shone’s appearance in court: “Following an investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) involving Counter Terrorism Policing South West (CTPSW) and Gloucestershire Constabulary, a man has been charged with terrorism and drug offences.

“The arrest and charges are in connection with searches in Lydbrook and Coleford in Gloucestershire and Ross on Wye, West Mercia on November 18, 2020.

“Toby Shone, aged 43, of The Cross, Drybrook, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, was initially arrested on the 18 November, he was re-arrested on Wednesday (February 10) and yesterday (Thursday, February 11) was charged with the following offences:

“Providing a service to others that enabled them to obtain, read, listen to or look at a publication, and he intended an effect of his conduct to be a direct or indirect encouragement or other inducement to the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism contrary to section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

“Inviting others to provide funds intending, or having reasonable cause to suspect, that it would be use for the purposes of terrorism contrary to section 15 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

“Possession of information likely to be useful to a terrorist contrary to section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

“Possession of a controlled drug, class A, with intent to supply contrary to section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

“Possession of a controlled drug, class B, with intent to supply contrary to section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

“Producing a controlled drug, class B, contrary to section 4 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

“Possession of a controlled drug, class A, contrary to section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

“Shone appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court today (Friday, February 12) and has been remanded to appear at the Central Criminal Court on 19 February.”

Gloucestershire Police appealed at the time of the November searches for the owners of storage containers at Sling Self Storage near Coleford to come forward.

“The owners of these containers, are not in any trouble, police are simply asking for their assistance to ascertain the ownership of these containers.”

They later confirmed they were searching a container at the site off the B2448 road, and were no longer appealing for people to assist.

Superintendent Jane Probert from the Forest and Gloucester Local Policing Area sought to reassure residents in November, saying: “There has been a large police presence throughout parts of the Forest of Dean over the past few days which may be concerning for those who live in the area.

“I understand these concerns and would like to reassure you that there is no wider risk to the community at this time.

“The ongoing searches are being carried out by specialist officers as part of an investigation being led by Counter Terrorism Policing South East and we also have officers working alongside to assist.

“There will continue to be an increased policing presence in parts of the Forest of Dean while the investigation continues and I would like to thank the local community for their patience while this continues.”

Residents also reported two police cars and a large van at the time outside the dilapidated and long-closed Riverside Inn in Ross-on-Wye’s Wye Street, which has fallen into disrepair since planning applications to turn it into homes were rejected five years ago.

Superintendent Ross Jones, Herefordshire Commander, said at the time: “People in the Wye Street area of Ross-on-Wye may be concerned about the police activity which has been taking place yesterday and today.

“I understand these concerns and would like to reassure you that there is no wider risk to the community at this time.

“The searches are being carried out by specialist officers as part of an investigation being led by Counter Terrorism Policing South East. West Mercia Police officers are working alongside to assist.

“I would like to thank the local community for their patience while officers continue their search activity and the investigation continues.”