The three men were described as 'callous, greedy and reckless'
Three “greedy” drug dealers have been jailed for 12 years for conspiring to sell drugs in the Valleys in what was described as a “deals on wheels” operation.
Roger Moore, Paul Ramsey, Gareth Lloyd and Louise Merrick-Reed each pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cocaine over a six-month period from the beginning of 2016.
Speaking at Cardiff Crown Court , prosecutor Ieuan Bennett said: “It was clearly an active business enterprise.”
Moore, who was used to making £700 a day, was one of four people involved in a conspiracy to bring the Class A drug to the Rhondda Valley.
Referring to messages sent between Moore and Lloyd in July last year, Mr Bennett said: “Both men were obviously bemoaning the financial state of the cocaine market.”
The prosecutor said it was a “bad day” when Moore made £150, but on a “good day” he could make £700.
Experts estimated around 1.5kg of cocaine were involved in the conspiracy, with purity ranging between 8% and 10%.
The court heard South Wales Police used covert listening devices planted in Moore’s home and car to gather evidence.
Mr Bennett said Ramsey, 53, would travel to Manchester about once a fortnight, with various people driving him.
He added: “The prosecution case is that considerable amounts of cocaine were obtained via Ramsey from the Manchester area and brought back to Cardiff.”
The prosecutor described his as a “wholesaler” and street dealer.
Mr Bennett said Ramsey would supply between one gram and half an ounce at a time and kept the drugs hidden in undergrowth near his home.
His property in Llwynmadoc Street, Pontypridd , was searched by police in August 2016, but officers found only bags and scales containing traces of cocaine.
Ramsey’s phone was found to contain messages relating to supply.
His defence barrister Christopher Rees described it as “a low-level street dealing operation”.
The court heard 52-year-old Moore worked for Ramsey, as he owed him about £1,100, but he complained about the work being “tiring” and not making much profit.
Meanwhile his partner Louise Merrick-Reed, 30, was involved in cutting, weighing and bagging the drugs.
The court heard when police raided the couple’s home on Turbeville Road in Porth, they found 25.9g of cocaine, worth £1,600.
Officers also found paraphernalia including three sets of scales.
Andrew Taylor, defending Moore, said his client had no previous convictions for drug offences, adding: “This was very local, low-level, small-time street dealing.”
Prosecutors said Lloyd worked as “an assistant” to Moore.
His defence barrister Caroline Rees argued the 33-year-old from Beyron Close in Rhydyfelin, Pontypridd, was a vulnerable individual who “hero worshipped” Moore.
She said he suffered from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and argued he was at the bottom of any hierarchy.
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Tim Evans, representing Merrick-Reed, said she was not forced to get involved by her partner, but added: “There was some naivety and exploitation of the relationship.”
The court heard she turned to drugs while in care as a young person, but recently started a new relationship and is now drug-free.
Addressing the defendants, Judge Jeremy Jenkins said: “As with all conspiracies, each of you played different, yet important, roles within the conspiracy to ensure its success.”
Ramsey was jailed for five years and eight months, Moore was jailed for four years and four months, while Lloyd was jailed for two years and six months.
Merrick-Reed was committed to prison for two years, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 25 days of a rehabilitation activity.
Inspector Tudor Thomas, from the Serious and Organised Crime Team, said: “It was like deals on wheels with them driving around the Rhondda area delivering cocaine.
“It was quite clear they were callous, greedy and reckless in the way they conducted themselves and dealt drugs as openly as they were.
“This case clearly demonstrates that the information we receive from the community can be vital.
“The trafficking and supply of controlled drugs has a huge detrimental effect within our communities.
“By working with our partners and our communities we will continue to pursue those involved in the supply of controlled drugs.”
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/drug-dealers-jailed-deals-wheels-12517763#rlabs=1%20rt$sitewide%20p$7
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