News

Sentencing begins for cocaine gang

Published

10 years ago

June 23, 2016

SIX Pembrokeshire people are being sentenced at Swansea Crown Court today (June 23) for their roles in a huge cocaine conspiracy.

They were involved in shipping £1m worth of the class A drug into the area until they were caught by local detectives in Operation Pigeon.

Leigh Salter, aged 37, of Steynton Road, Milford Haven and James Bolton, 48, of Kiln Road, Johnson, Haverfordwest, played leading roles, said Robin Rouch, the barrister leading the prosecution.

They worked with drug suppliers from Liverpool but before he was arrested Salter had gone on to set up a quite separate conspiracy buying cocaine from Swansea.

Awaiting sentence: Leigh Salter, 37

Salter and Bolton, plus Bolton’s then partner Siobhan Jackson, 39, also of Kiln Road, and Andrew Davies, 54, of Hill Street, Haverfordwest, had admitted conspiring with others to supply cocaine between September 1, 2012, and April 22, 2015.

Richard Conroy, 48, of Cherry Tree Close, Milford Haven, admitted “laundering” £1,500 in cash knowing or believing it represented the proceeds of criminal activity.

David Parker, aged 41, of Skomer Drive, Milford Haven, admitted conspiring with Salter to take cocaine from Swansea to Pembrokeshire.

Guilty of money laundering: Richard Conroy

Adam Idris, 33, of Grove Dale Road, Liverpool, and Adam Woodhouse, 34, of Weaver Close, Alsager, Staffordshire, admitted the main conspiracy charge.

Dannielle Maloney, 36, of Dovedale Road, Liverpool, and John Foster, 34, of Tiverton Road, Liverpool, admitted money laundering.

Mr Rouch said during Operation Pigeon detectives installed a secret listening device inside Bolton’s Station Automotives firm in Milford Haven.

Admitted dealing: James Bolton and Siobhan Jackson

They also logged mobile telephone traffic, car movements and money transfers and in all were able to identify 43 drug runs, although after his arrest Woodhouse alone confessed to at least 60.

It became clear, said Mr Rouch, that Salter and Bolton were the “main players” locally and that Idris was the supplier and Woodhouse the main courier.

When police moved in to make arrests they made finds that suggested half a kilo of cocaine, worth £30,000, were being shipped each time.

The listening device picked up Bolton and Jackson discussing delivery routes and changing mobile telephones.

And Jackson was followed to Liverpool.

Mr Rouch said Operation Pigeon soon became intertwined with another drugs operation that involved Idris supplying cocaine from Liverpool to the Stoke-on-Trent area.

Despite being arrested in connection with that crime and granted police bail Idris continued to supply drugs to Pembrokeshire.

Bolton, the court heard, had been convicted in 2010 of possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

By the end of Thursday’s hearing the judge, Judge Paul Thomas, had listened to mitigation on behalf of most of the defendants.

Bolton, he was told, had been traumatised at the age of three when his father killed his mother and at the time of his arrest was leading such a chaotic lifestyle he was positively relieved to be caught and put into custody.

Jackson was no longer in a relationship with Bolton.

Davies made £700 by acting as a drugs courier on four occasions.

And Parker had been caught the one and only time he had agreed to collect a package from Swansea and deliver it to Salter.

Judge Thomas said he would sentence the defendants on Friday.

But he told Conroy he fell into a different category and agreed to sentence him there and then.

Conroy, who fits burglar alarms and fire alarms as a job, was made the subject of a 12 month community order and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work for the community and to pay £500 prosecution costs.

Farming

Plaid urged to move faster on farming reforms amid subsidy concerns

Published

1 hour ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Welsh Conservatives accuse Plaid Cymru of failing farmers as ministers call for patience over changes to agricultural support

CONCERNS over the pace of farming reforms in Wales have intensified after the Welsh Conservatives accused the Welsh Government of failing to act quickly enough on promised changes to agricultural subsidy schemes.

The criticism comes after Welsh Government Rural Resilience and Sustainability Minister, Llyr Gruffydd, urged farmers to be patient as major changes to support payments continue to be developed.

Speaking to ITV Wales, Mr Gruffydd acknowledged that “change is difficult” as the government seeks to reshape agricultural support across rural Wales. The comments come at a time of growing unease among parts of the farming community over the future of post-Brexit subsidy arrangements and concerns about financial pressures facing farms.

The reforms centre on replacing previous support systems with a new approach intended to balance food production, environmental sustainability and rural resilience. However, some farmers and unions have warned that uncertainty over payments and policy changes risks damaging confidence in the sector.

Reacting to the minister’s remarks, Welsh Conservative Shadow Farming Minister, Andrew RT Davies, said Plaid Cymru was not moving quickly enough to deliver on commitments made to Welsh farmers.

Mr Davies said: “Change is not difficult – contrary to Plaid Cymru separatists’ claims.

“If the will is there, there’s no reason reforms can’t be implemented immediately.

“Plaid Cymru separatists must fulfil their promises to Welsh farmers now.”

The comments reflect wider political tensions over the direction of farming policy in Wales, with opposition parties arguing that delays and uncertainty are creating anxiety for agricultural businesses already facing rising costs and economic pressures.

Farming remains a major part of the Welsh economy, particularly in rural counties such as Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, where many communities rely heavily on agriculture and associated industries.

The Welsh Government has previously said changes to support schemes are aimed at creating a more sustainable long-term future for farming, though ministers have acknowledged the transition period will take time and may prove challenging for some in the industry.

The debate over subsidy reform is likely to remain a key political battleground as the government finalises details of its future support model and seeks to reassure farmers concerned about their livelihoods.

Community

Milford paddling pool could close after rowdy adults seen throwing glass bottles

Published

2 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL has warned that the town’s paddling pool could be drained and closed if anti-social behaviour continues.

The warning follows an incident today in which rowdy adults were reportedly drinking alcohol from glass bottles inside the pool enclosure and throwing a glass bottle around.

The council also said people were seen smoking cannabis just outside the gate.

In a statement, Milford Haven Town Council said the behaviour was “highly dangerous, irresponsible and inconsiderate” and “cannot and will not be tolerated”.

The council warned: “If this sort of behaviour continues we will have no choice but to consider draining and closing the pool.”

The paddling pool is run voluntarily by a dedicated group of councillors for the benefit of local families and visitors.

The council is now urging people to act responsibly so the facility can remain open and be enjoyed safely by everyone.

Business

WestJet’s first Toronto flight lands at Cardiff Airport

Published

2 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New seasonal service restores direct link between Wales and Canada after nearly 20 years

CARDIFF AIRPORT has welcomed the first WestJet flight from Toronto, marking the return of a direct air link between Wales and Canada for the first time in almost 20 years.

The inaugural service from Toronto Pearson International Airport landed at Cardiff on Saturday (May 23), officially launching a new transatlantic route between South Wales and North America.

Passengers on the first arrival were greeted with a traditional water cannon salute, while Penarth choir Criw Canu welcomed the crew and customers with Welsh songs at the aircraft steps.

The new route will operate four times a week using WestJet’s Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft. Cardiff Airport said the service would open up new opportunities for tourism, business, investment and cultural links between Wales and Canada.

Toronto Pearson is also a major hub, offering onward connections to more than 100 destinations across Canada and the United States, including Calgary, Halifax, Vancouver and Florida.

Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, Adam Price MS, attended the launch alongside guests including Vale of Glamorgan Council leader Cllr Lis Burnett, Lord-Lieutenant of South Glamorgan Morfudd Meredith, Ontario’s Agent-General in London Sophia Arvanitis, Visit Wales and aviation industry partners.

Mr Price said: “WestJet’s inaugural flight from Cardiff to Toronto is a powerful signal to the world that our nation is open for business.

“Direct transatlantic connectivity like this is exactly what Welsh businesses need to reach new markets, attract investment and grow and it reinforces our ambition to make Wales one of the best-connected economies in the UK.

“Cardiff Airport is a vital piece of our economic infrastructure, and today’s milestone is something to celebrate.”

Jon Bridge, Chief Executive Officer of Cardiff Airport, described the launch as a landmark moment for the airport and for Wales.

He said: “The arrival of WestJet’s direct service gives customers easier access to Toronto and onward destinations across North America. It firmly strengthens Cardiff Airport’s position as the international gateway for Wales.

“We are proud to welcome WestJet and excited about the long-term potential of this partnership.”

Chris White-DeVries, WestJet Senior Manager Hub Strategy and Airport Affairs, said the route was an important addition to the airline’s transatlantic network.

He said: “WestJet’s new seasonal offering makes it easier for more people to discover everything South Wales and Canada have to offer, while staying closely connected to friends, family and business opportunities.

“Cardiff plays an important role in our growing transatlantic network, and we are proud to offer our guests from Wales more convenient access to Canada.”

The Cardiff to Toronto service departs Cardiff at 11:35am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Toronto to Cardiff flights depart at 10:10pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.