SOME 22 members of a county lines drugs gang that was infiltrating rural towns in Powys have been sentenced.

A total of 17 pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine. Six defendants stood trial. Five were found guilty, one not guilty.

Between them they have been sentenced to more than 101 years in prison.

The sentencing marks the final stage of Operation Regent, a long and complex investigation targeting county lines groups. Officers from throughout Powys, the force’s Serious and Organised Crime Team and the National Crime Agency worked together to dismantle an organised crime gang operating between Merseyside and Powys.

The identified Organise Crime Group (OCG) was using the county lines method of drug distributions between August 2016 and June 2018. Drug suppliers were travelling to Powys from Merseyside and set up business with local drug dealers to sell heroin and crack cocaine.

During the investigation Dyfed-Powys Police’s Serious Organised Crime Team (SOCT) evidenced in the region of £1.1 million pounds worth of heroin and crack cocaine being couriered into the Powys area. The Merseyside based OCG based themselves in a number of premises in Powys, particularly in Llandrindod Wells and Newtown. They used the ‘cuckooing’ method of taking over properties, often homes of vulnerable people, to use them for the preparation and distribution of class A drugs.

The trials concluded in July, but a reporting restriction was imposed until the conclusion of trials in Merseyside for Operation Bombay as the two were intrinsically linked.

To report anything suspicious or concerns about the selling and taking of drugs in their community by calling 101, or report online.

To report information anonymously, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

For advice and information on County Lines drugs supply see the Dyfed-Powys Police Op Guardian advice page.

A total of 22 people have been sentenced as part of Operation Regent, while another person is awaiting sentencing in January.

One man, Craig Dunphy, 41, was found not guilty after standing trial.

Six stood trial:

  • Ryan Thomas Langshaw, aged 21, from Merseyside – found guilty of both counts.
  • Lee Price, aged 37 – found guilty
  • David Cledwyn Jones, aged 61, from Presteigne – found guilty.
  • Anthony James Butterworth, aged 52, from Newtown, Powys – found guilty.
  • A 17-year-old from Macclesfield, was found guilty.
  • Craig Dunphy, aged 41, was found not guilty of both counts.

There were 17 guilty pleas:

  • Michael John Williams, aged 20, from Merseyside.
  • Jack Ross, aged 22, from Merseyside.
  • Daniel Putterill, aged 22, from Liverpool.
  • Jack Chew, aged 20, from Merseyside.
  • Karl Anthony O’Hara, aged 28, from Merseyside.
  • Anthony Andrew Byrne, aged 33, from Merseyside.
  • Rebecca Jean Lloyd, aged 35, from Powys.
  • Nigel Barnett, aged 44, from Llandrindod Wells, Powys.
  • David Peter Brown, aged 44, from Little Weston, Powys.
  • Clive Anthony Phillips, aged 35, from Builth Wells, Powys.
  • Hazee Bluebell Wedge, aged 24, from Llandrindod Wells, Powys.
  • Johann Neil Hughes, aged 45, from Rhayader, Powys.
  • Ryan Norman Jolly, aged 38, from Eardisley.
  • Danielle Wye, aged 29, from Newtown, Powys.
  • A 17-year-old from Macclesfield has been sentenced separately. He received a 10 year sentence for manslaughter and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
  • Merlin Ziggy Bonner, aged 30, from Llandrindod Wells, Powys.
  • Nathan Duringer, aged 19, from Liverpool.

Residents cheered as police made Powys drugs arrests

Pictured: 18 members of the County Lines drugs gangs jailed by Swansea Crown Court. Top row, from left: Merlin Ziggy Bonner, Johann Neil Hughes, David Cledwyn Jones, Danielle Wye, Nathan Thomas Duringer and Jack Chew. Middle row, from left: Hazee Bluebell Wedge, David Peter Brown, Clive Anthony Phillips, Anthony James Butterworth, Ryan Thomas Langshaw and Rebecca Jean Lloyd. Bottom row, from left: Michael John Williams, Karl Anthony O’Hara, Jack Thomas Ross, Daniel Putterill, Anthony Andrew Byrne and Nigel Barnett.