EIGHT members of an organised criminal group have been sentenced at Swansea Crown Court today, Thursday (Mar 8).
Detective Sergeant Rhys Jones from the Dyfed-Powys Police Serious and Organised Crime Team said: “We are extremely pleased with the sentences handed to all 8 defendants today, particularly the 14 years handed to Ryan Kenny, on this the first day of sentencing 28 individuals as part of Operation Ulysses. The operation was commenced as a result of an increase in the number of heroin related deaths predominantly in the Llanelli area, and these sentences are the successful culmination of the most complex investigation undertaken by the Serious and Organised Crime Team, resulting in putting these first eight members of sophisticated organised crime groups behind bars for a considerable time.
“The investigation and deployments of officers spanned Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, North Wales and Liverpool, and extremely large amounts of heroin, cocaine, ketamine and cannabis were seized. These defendants operated covertly and executed their criminal enterprise with precision. The amounts involved are staggering in terms of the drugs that were distributed onto and flooded the streets of Aberystwyth and Llanelli. Operation Ulysses has tackled the scourge of these drugs and helped prevent further tragedies. This first batch of sentences just goes to show that no matter how sophisticated these organised crime groups are, Dyfed-Powys Police will find them and bring them to justice. We wait with anticipation to hear the sentences handed to the remaining 20 defendants over the next three days in court.”
Superintendent Gary Mills, Carmarthenshire Divisional Commander added: “As well as pursuing those organised crime groups that were conspiring to supply Class A drugs in our communities, we were acutely aware of the effect the disruption of supply to users of Class A drugs that this action would result in, and from the outset we worked very closely with our partners in health and drugs charities to ensure the appropriate support was, and continues to be available to them. Local policing have and will continue to work with partners throughout this operation including Local Authorities to support our communities and individuals most affected by serious and organised crime.
“We urged users of Class A drugs to seek the help and support that was available to them. Our partners were ready and waiting to provide them with all the necessary help that they required – and we stressed how important it was that users took advantage of this opportunity. Together with our partners, our priority was to give them the chance to turn things around, and live a drug free life. But we were also clear that if they did not engage in the treatment and support being offered, continued drugs use would not be tolerated in the Dyfed-Powys area. We have seen too many lives end in tragedy, and the suffering that families and friends have to endure. These sentences send out a clear message that the Dyfed-Powys Police force area remains a hostile environment for those involved in serious and organised crime at all levels.”
