A gang of 23 are behind bars following a two-year investigation that saw police seize almost 300 kilograms of drugs as well as £1.2m in cash.
South Wales Police said the defendants who were sentenced “for a variety of drug supplying offences” formed part of a wider crime group from the South Wales, Merseyside, Manchester and Essex areas.
In addition to the drugs haul of more than 88kgs of Amphetamine and almost 200kg of cannabis, the gang also had £1.2m seized, which police proved was part of the drug dealing activities.
The two-year investigation came as part of Operation Hallett which was managed by TARIAN, the Welsh Regional Organised Crime Unit.
Police said the gang was headed by Michael Martin, 50, of Bargoed , who “utilised his underworld contacts across the UK to form a drug empire”. He was sentenced to 14 years.
Massive police haul
“During the course of the investigation, an address in Ystrad, Rhondda , was searched which led to the recovery of £1.2m in cash, along with a sawn-off shotgun, cartridges and a Cheetah stun gun,” a South Wales Police spokesman.
“This cash seizure highlighted to the inquiry team the sheer scope and influence of the various organised crime groups colluding with Michael Martin, as well as the vast gains that were available within the drug dealing fraternity.”
They had 'no regard for the law'
DCI Huw Davies, of the Regional Organised Crime Unit, said: “This is another positive result for the Welsh regional organised crime unit and the communities we serve.
“The sentencing reflects the professionalism and tenacity of the investigating team, together with the Crown Prosecution Service during what can only be described as a complex inquiry.
“Clearly the individuals involved in this case, especially Michael Martin, have no regard for the law and were intent on making large sums of money from their drug dealing activities, with no consideration of the terrible impact their actions were having on our communities."
Warning to others
He went on: “The level of this investigation and sentencing should send a clear message to those intent on committing serious crime within our region, that you will ultimately be held responsible for your actions.
“We are committed to targeting all forms of organised criminals and I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to the public that if they have any information that can help us then please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”.”
The following defendants were sentenced:
Michael Andrew Martin, 50, of Bargoed: 14 years
Greg Davies, 44, of Bargoed: 5 years 6 months
Robert Lindsay Stook, 34, of Oakdale: 4 years 8 months
Joanne Marie Smith, 32, of Bargoed: 22 months
Paul Douglas Berry 46, of Manchester: eight years
Stephen Sidney Reeves 48, of Manchester: seven years
Terence Earle, 42, of Liverpool, three years
Michael Earle, 40, of Liverpool: three years
Tony Murphy, 43, of Manchester: two years
Alan David Megann, 54, of Liverpool: 27 months
Gerard Worth, 54, of Liverpool: six years
Michael Kearns, 54, of Manchester: two years and six months
Michael Slade, 53, of Essex: eight years
Danny Hicks, 36, of Essex: three years and six months
Gerald Carl Jones, 51, of Merthyr, two years and four months
Andrew Ronald Thomas, 39, of Risca: five years and six months
Terry Corse, 34, of Neath: two years
Darren Edwards, 49, of Neath, two years
Neil Morgan, 52, of Neath: 26 months
Richard John Edwards, 48, of Neath: five years
Daniel Taylor, 35, of Neath: two years and eight months
Leyton Corry, 48, two years and eight months
Julian Leaver-Thomas, 36, of Abertillery: three years and four months
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