Crime

Seven members of Welsh drugs gang jailed for over 82 years

Published

2 years ago

January 10, 2024

SEVEN men have been sent to prison for a total of 82 years and 10 months at Cardiff Crown Court this week (Jan 9) convicted of a series of drugs offences.

The men were brought before the Court following a long and complex investigation by Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for Southern Wales which spread across the South Wales and Dyfed-Powys police areas.

During the investigation cash, drugs and suspected drug dealing paraphernalia was seized, including:

Approximately £100,000 cash.
Around 1000 cannabis plants.
18kg of cannabis.
7kg of cocaine.
Cash counting machines and industrial weighing scales.

As a result of this, nine men were arrested and brought to trial. They were:

Fation Bardhaj, 39, from Penylan, Cardiff – sentence: 13 years six months
Klodian Zefi, 35, from Roath, Cardiff – sentence: 14 years
Gregory Hardy, 34, from Waunarlwydd, Swansea – sentence: 14 years
Elon Joseph, 34, from Waunarlwydd, Swansea – sentence: nine years
Bardhok Bardhoj, 51, from Cilcennin, Ceridigion – sentence: 19 years
David Price, 50, from Kenfig Hill, Bridgend – sentence: nine years
Abdi Lekaj, 62, from Roath, Cardiff – sentence: 4 years four months

Two others, Mirsad Nerguti, 21, Qazim Hodollari, 38, both from the London area, will be sentenced at a later date.

Detective Sergeant Peter Kelly said: “Operation Bluebell is an investigation led by Tarian which involved an Organsied Crime Group based in Cardiff who were responsible for sourcing multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine and distributing it throughout South Wales.

“The investigation resulted in several seizures, totalling 7 kilograms of cocaine (estimated street value of almost £600,000), 18 kilograms of cannabis (estimated street value of £175,000), about £100,000 in cash along with the dismantling of an industrial sized cannabis cultivation located in Lampeter which had the potential street value of over £500,000.

“Klodian Zefi, Fation Bardhaj and Bardhok Bardhoj worked together in Cardiff facilitating the supply of the cocaine. Their customer bases included Swansea and the Port Talbot areas.

“Gregory Hardy headed the Swansea based OCG. He had access to a business unit in Gorseinon, Swansea. When this was searched, a hydraulic press along with other drug paraphernalia and empty kilogram sized cocaine wrappings were seized. Elon Joseph worked for Hardy and was often seen visiting the business unit in Gorseinon, as well as frequently meeting with Bardhok Bardhoj in Swansea and Cardiff.

“Hardy was also responsible for setting up the cannabis farm in Lampeter. When production of cannabis began, it was Bardhoj who was responsible for the ‘gardening’ and maintenance of the plants.

“David Price worked as a courier for the group in and around the Port Talbot and Pyle areas. He was seen meeting with Bardhok Bardhoj and Fation Bardhaj in various locations where bags and packages were exchanged.

“Quazim Hodollari worked as a courier and was responsible for travelling from the London area to deliver drugs to South Wales and collect cash.

“Mirsad Negruti was based in London. On one occasion, Bardhok Bardhoj arranged for Abdi Lekaj to travel from Cardiff to London to meet Negruti. When Lekaj traveling back to South Wales, he was arrested and found to be in possession of 2 kilograms of cocaine. Forensic evidence linked Mirsad Negruti to this seizure.

Detective Sergeant Kelly added: “The success of this investigation is just a small part of the work we do to within Tarian to make the southern regions of Wales a hostile environment for drugs criminality.

“This has been an intensive operation, made successful by the collaboration of different police forces across southern Wales.

“Tarian will continue to tackle the misery drugs cause to our communities. The success of this investigation to date demonstrates that we will relentlessly pursue those involved in large scale criminality to ensure effective justice is sought against such individuals and they are brought before the Courts.

“If you suspect drug dealing is taking place or you are concerned that a young person or vulnerable adult may have been targeted by an organised crime group, please tell us. You don’t have to be certain, just concerned.

“Call us on 101 or if you prefer you can contact Crimestoppers to report anonymously – online or by calling 0800 555 111. If someone is in immediate danger or a crime is taking place you should always dial 999.”

Crime

Welsh mother sent indecent image of daughter to convicted sex offender

Published

17 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Woman handed suspended sentence after sending photos of primary school child to known paedophile she was “in a relationship” with

A WELSH mother has avoided immediate prison after admitting she sent indecent photographs of her young daughter to a convicted paedophile she described as being “in a relationship” with.

The woman, aged in her 30s, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court after pleading guilty to making and distributing an indecent image of a child.

The case emerged when West Mercia Police recovered images from a known sex offender’s device during an unrelated investigation. Officers identified that several of the images had been sent by the child’s mother and passed the intelligence to South Wales Police.

Eight photographs of the primary school-aged girl had been shared. One image, described in court as Category C, showed the child half-naked on a sofa.

When officers arrived at the family home to arrest her, the defendant was overheard telling her children: “Mummy has been in conversation with a silly man who had got her into trouble.”

During interview, the court heard she struggled to explain her behaviour. She told police her relationship with her partner at the time had broken down and she had felt “lost”, adding that she had “enjoyed the attention” from the man.

Sentencing, His Honour Paul Thomas KC described the offending as a “terrible breach of trust”.

He said sending such an image to a man she knew was a paedophile who wanted it for sexual gratification was “wholly beyond most people’s comprehension”.

The judge added it was fortunate her “pandering” to the offender had been uncovered before matters escalated further.

While acknowledging that any punishment would “pale into insignificance” compared with the lifelong consequences for the family, he said the offence crossed a serious threshold.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons in order to protect the identity of her daughter, has no previous convictions. The court was told her children are no longer in her care.

Defence counsel said she had been tearful and remorseful, telling solicitors she had “ruined her life”. A psychiatric assessment diagnosed her with complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

She was handed a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

The court also imposed:

– 150 hours of unpaid work
– Completion of a rehabilitation programme
– Registration as a sex offender for ten years
– A Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years

Child protection specialists say the case underlines the risks of online relationships and the importance of reporting concerns early, particularly where vulnerable adults may be targeted by known offenders.

If you are worried about a child’s safety, contact police on 101 or report concerns anonymously via Crimestoppers.

Crime

Man to stand trial accused of making death threat to Herald editor

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant allegedly threatened serious harm in telephone call

A 34-YEAR-OLD Pembroke man is due to stand trial on Monday (Feb 2) accused of sending a message threatening death or serious harm to Pembrokeshire Herald editor Tom Sinclair.

Anthony Jones, of Castle Quarry, Long Mains, Monkton, is listed to appear before magistrates for trial at 12:00pm.

Court records show Jones faces two charges.

The first alleges that on February 24, 2025, in Pembroke, he made a communication that conveyed a threat of death, intending – or being reckless as to whether – the recipient would fear the threat would be carried out.

The charge is brought under section 181 of the Online Safety Act 2023. The offence carries a maximum penalty of twelve months’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

The second charge relates to an unrelated incident on April 8, 2025. Jones is accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards a police officer, causing harassment, alarm or distress. The offence is alleged to have been racially aggravated under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

That charge carries a maximum sentence of six months’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

Both matters were previously adjourned from December 10, 2025 for a full trial hearing.

The Herald understands the alleged threat formed part of online communications sent earlier this year and was reported to police.

Jones denies the offences and the case is expected to be contested.

The trial is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

Crime

Pembroke man accused of child sex offences sent to Swansea Crown Court

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant indicates intention to plead guilty as magistrates rule case too serious for local sentencing

A PEMBROKE man has been sent to the Crown Court after indicating he intends to plead guilty to a series of serious child sex offences.

David Lewis, aged 42, of Ashdale Lane, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jan 30).

Lewis indicated guilty pleas to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause or incite a female child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. A further charge of attempting to cause a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity was also put to him.

The offences relate to online and electronic communication.

Magistrates said the case was too serious to be dealt with at their level and committed Lewis to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was granted conditional bail ahead of his next court appearance.