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Crime

How Dyfed-Powys Police cracks down on the drug gangs exploiting West Wales

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THIS week, Dyfed-Powys Police have been actively highlighting the issue of County Lines on their social media channels and website, emphasising the ongoing efforts to combat this dangerous form of criminal exploitation.

As part of this awareness campaign, we are delving deeper into what County Lines is and its impact on communities in West Wales.

In recent weeks, a significant development occurred in Aberystwyth, where a sophisticated organised crime gang was dismantled. This gang was responsible for trafficking large quantities of cocaine and cannabis into the region. The group, which operated across various locations, was part of a larger network that used County Lines methods to distribute drugs throughout rural areas, including smaller towns like Aberystwyth. The operation culminated in the arrest and conviction of several gang members, shedding light on the extent of County Lines activity even in these relatively remote areas.

Chief Superintendent Shane Williams said: “Our number one priority is to protect vulnerable people, and this includes children, who can be as young as 12 years old, and the vulnerable adults who are ruthlessly exploited by urban gangs to do their dirty work.

“Ultimately our aim is to make the Dyfed-Powys area a hostile environment for organised crime groups, preventing all forms of harm associated with these gangs.

“Any child or vulnerable adult can be affected and it’s important to recognise that it can still be exploitation, even if the activity appears consensual.

“Our aim is to shine a light on this exploitation, and by working together with a wide range of partner agencies including local authorities, third sector agencies, housing associations, train and coach operators, identify abuse sooner so that we can intervene and keep vulnerable people safe.”

Meanwhile, Dafydd Llywelyn, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys, has consistently emphasised the importance of community resilience in tackling county lines drug operations. He has advocated for the establishment of youth clubs and early intervention programs as essential strategies to prevent young people from being drawn into these gangs.

He also highlights the adaptability of these crime groups, which poses a significant challenge for law enforcement, making community-led efforts even more critical in disrupting their activities​

Children are often exploited according to CASCADE

County Lines is a term used to describe the practice of transporting illegal drugs from urban centers to smaller towns and rural areas. Organised criminal groups (OCGs) exploit vulnerable individuals, including children and those with mental health or addiction issues, to carry out their operations. These individuals are often coerced into becoming drug runners or are forced to allow their homes to be used as bases for drug distribution—a practice known as “cuckooing.” The sophisticated methods employed by these gangs, including the use of violence and intimidation, ensure that their operations remain hidden from law enforcement for as long as possible.

In recent years police operations locally have demonstrated the seriousness of the County Lines threat. For example, during a “County Lines Intensification Week” in 2021, Dyfed-Powys Police executed several raids, leading to the seizure of substantial quantities of heroin and cocaine, valued at over £137,000. These efforts resulted in multiple arrests and the confiscation of weapons, underscoring the significant danger these networks pose to the community.

There are vast County Lines networks in the UK including into West Wales. Not all are shown here

Research conducted by Cardiff University’s CASCADE (Children’s Social Care Research and Development Centre) highlights the importance of a coordinated community response to tackle County Lines effectively. The research emphasises that collaboration between schools, social services, healthcare providers, and law enforcement is essential in identifying and protecting vulnerable individuals. The study also points to the increasing role of social media in County Lines operations, where OCGs use platforms like Instagram and Snapchat to groom and recruit young people into their criminal activities.

The CASCADE report also discusses how County Lines operations have evolved in response to increased law enforcement pressure. Gangs have become more sophisticated in their methods, using burner phones, exploiting social media, and even grooming children from more affluent backgrounds to evade detection. The report underscores the need for a nuanced approach to tackling these networks, one that involves not just police action but also preventative measures aimed at educating and protecting vulnerable populations.

Police make drugs-related arrest in Milford Haven (Image: Herald)

One of the most troubling aspects of County Lines is the exploitation of children and vulnerable adults. Gangs often lure these individuals with promises of money or gifts, only to trap them in a cycle of debt and fear. The use of “cuckooing” allows gangs to maintain a low profile while conducting their operations, often leaving their victims isolated and terrified. In some cases, victims are subjected to extreme violence to ensure their continued compliance.

Dyfed-Powys Police have been working to raise awareness of these issues among the public, encouraging residents to report any suspicious activities. The community’s role in identifying and reporting County Lines activities is crucial to the success of these efforts. By working together, law enforcement and the community can disrupt these networks and protect those who are most vulnerable to exploitation.

What to Do If You Have Concerns

Dyfed-Powys Police encourage residents to trust their instincts when it comes to suspected drug-related activities. Even if someone is not directly involved in County Lines, they may still be a victim of exploitation. The police urge community members to report any suspicious activities through several available channels:

  • Online: Reports can be made using the Dyfed-Powys Police Reporting Tool.
  • Email: Concerns can be sent to [email protected].
  • Phone: Call 101 to report non-urgent matters.
  • Social Media: Direct messages can be sent to Dyfed-Powys Police on their social media platforms.
  • Crimestoppers: Reports can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers at 0800 555111 or via their website Crimestoppers-UK.org.

The fight against County Lines in West Wales is ongoing, and it requires the collective efforts of law enforcement, social services, healthcare providers, community organisations, and residents. Public awareness and engagement are vital in ensuring that Pembrokeshire and surrounding areas remain safe from the harmful influence of County Lines gangs.

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Crime

Land occupiers fined for breaching Council enforcement notice

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TWO individuals, Paula Janetta Foster, 68, and Tobias Foster, 43, both of Wilden, Narberth, Pembrokeshire, were fined at Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire Youth Court on Thursday for failing to comply with an enforcement notice served by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The defendants, who were present in court and represented by solicitor James Ryan of Acuity Law, initially pleaded not guilty to the charges but later changed their pleas to guilty on 3rd October 2024. The case was heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

The charges related to their failure, as occupiers of the land, to adhere to the conditions set out in an enforcement notice issued by the council on 27th May 2021. The notice, INV/0196/19, required specific steps to be taken, which the Fosters failed to do between 12th August 2022 and 23rd July 2024. This was in violation of Section 179(5) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Paula Janetta Foster was fined £200, ordered to pay a surcharge of £80 to fund victim services, and £330 in costs, bringing the total sum to £610. Tobias Foster received a fine of £450, a surcharge of £180, and was ordered to pay costs of £330.70, totalling £960.70.

The court made collection orders for both defendants, taking their guilty pleas into account when imposing the sentences, resulting in a 25% reduction. Both Fosters were granted time to pay, with monthly instalments of £30 commencing on 31st October 2024.

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Crime

Police raid cannabis grow at former Woolworths building in Pembroke Dock

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POLICE in Pembroke Dock have shut down a large-scale cannabis grow in Pembroke Dock. Nearly 600 plants have been recovered, officers have said. It is almost as large as the grow found in Neyland on November 18, 2023.

It has now been confirmed by police that a male, 37-years-old has been arrested and detained.

A heavy police presence was seen outside the former Woolworths building on Dimond Street today (Thursday, 3 October), sparking concern and curiosity among local residents. Witnesses reported that several police vehicles had blocked the road as officers in riot gear attempted to enter the premises.

One witness, speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald, described the scene: “There are loads of police outside the old Woolworths in the dock. It looks like they’re trying to get in. Dimond Street is currently blocked off with police cars and vans. They’ve just brought a man out, a foreign national, and put him in a van. The police are now inside [the building].”

Another reader contacted the newspaper to share what they had seen: “The police officers dragged him out as if he were a rag doll and slammed him into the van,” the witness said, describing the arrest.

The Pembrokeshire Herald also spoke to a nearby business owner, who reported seeing “men on the rooftops” moving between the closed card shop and the derelict former Woolworths store. It is understood that at least one individual had either gained access to or was attempting to reach the attic space of a nearby snooker hall.

Shortly after the initial raid, additional police vehicles arrived on the scene. Officers directed pedestrians to the opposite side of the road and halted all traffic in the area.

Following the arrest, the road was reopened to the public, though a significant number of both uniformed and plain-clothes officers remained inside the building.

A spokesperson for the police sent a press statement to this newspaper on Thursday afternoon, stating: “Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act at the old Woolworths building on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock on Thursday, October 3.

“During the warrant, close to 600 cannabis plants were located. One man, aged 37, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the production of Class B drugs. He remains in police custody.”

Residents will see increased police activity in the area as the investigation continues, detectives confirmed.

(Pics: M Cavaney/Herald)

(Pics: M Cavaney/Herald)

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Crime

Caldey Island monk suspended amid investigation over explicit photos

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A 76-YEAR-OLD monk from Caldey Island has been arrested on suspicion of sending indecent images to a local woman, Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed. The incident, which surfaced earlier this summer, has led to the monk’s suspension from his duties on the island pending further investigation.

The monk, who has resided on Caldey for over 30 years, was questioned by police on Sunday, 21st July. He has since been released on bail while inquiries continue. It is alleged that he sent a series of inappropriate photographs to a woman in her thirties via social media after she made contact with him regarding a potential interest in the religious life.

Police sources indicate that the nature of the images resembled ‘camp’ or ‘Playboy mansion-style’ photographs. Reports suggest that after initial contact was made on 17th July, the communication quickly escalated to the exchange of suggestive images by the following day. Further allegations have surfaced, claiming that other explicit images may have been sent to another woman in Kent.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police stated: “A 76-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of sending indecent images and has been released on bail pending further inquiries.”

The Tenby Observer has reported today, that due to the individual’s status within the Caldey community, the monastery’s disciplinary authority has suspended him as the investigation proceeds. It is understood that the monk, who previously served as a church organist, denied having any specific fetish but admitted to what he termed as ‘misbehaviour’ during police questioning.

The police investigation is ongoing, with examinations of the monk’s electronic devices currently underway. Local residents have expressed shock at the allegations, given the individual’s longstanding presence on the island.

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