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

Man charged with attempted murder after A44 collision near Aberystwyth

Published

10 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A 24-YEAR-OLD man has been charged following a single-vehicle collision on the A44 near Capel Bangor, Aberystwyth.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident happened on Tuesday, June 30.

Owen Rhys-Jones, of Dol-y-Bont, Aberystwyth, has been charged with attempted murder, dangerous driving, and controlling and coercive behaviour.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before court.

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and are asking anyone who was in the Capel Bangor area at around 8.50pm on Tuesday, June 30, to come forward.

Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who witnessed a disturbance in or around Capel Bangor, or who may have phone, video or dashcam footage of the incident.

Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police through the force’s dedicated online portal.

The force said: “We would like to thank the local community for their support while officers have carried out extensive enquiries, and to those who have supported our investigation so far.”

Crime

Man sent to Crown Court over alleged Cardigan cocaine and cannabis supply

Published

18 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Court Reporter

A 24-YEAR-OLD man has been sent to Crown Court to face a series of alleged drug supply offences in Cardigan.

Harrison Casey, of Harebell Way, Brownsover, Rugby, appeared before Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jul 2).

He faces six charges relating to alleged offences at Bridge Street, Cardigan, between April 7 and April 24, 2023.

The charges include being concerned in the supply of cocaine, a Class A drug, and being concerned in the supply of cannabis, a Class B drug.

Casey is also accused of possessing cannabis with intent to supply, possessing tetrahydrocannabinol with intent to supply, being concerned in an offer to supply THC edibles, and possessing flualpazolam, a Class C drug.

There were no pleas to the charges at this stage.

Magistrates sent the case to Swansea Crown Court for trial under Section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Casey was granted unconditional bail and is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on August 3 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Crime

Family’s anguish as politicians raise fears over killer driver’s possible early release

Published

1 day ago

July 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WIDOW of a Carmarthenshire father killed by a dangerous driver has been left facing months of uncertainty after being told the man jailed over her husband’s death may fall under new sentencing rules.

Aaron Jones, 38, from Llanpumsaint, died while walking his dog on December 23, 2024. His death devastated his family and shocked the close-knit village community.

Daniel Douglas Wyke, from Carmarthen, later admitted causing death by dangerous driving. He was jailed at Swansea Crown Court for four-and-a-half years and banned from driving for eight years and two months.

Now Aaron’s widow, Lisa Jones, has received correspondence indicating that Wyke may be affected by provisions introduced under the Sentencing Act 2026.

The family has been told it may not know until the end of August whether the changes will affect the time he spends in custody.

Ann Davies MP for Caerfyrddin and Nerys Evans MS for Sir Gaerfyrddin have now written to the Ministry of Justice seeking assurances that Aaron’s family will be heard during any review process.

They said the uncertainty had added further pain for a family already living with unimaginable loss.

“Our thoughts remain firmly with Lisa Jones, her family and the community of Llanpumsaint, who continue to endure unimaginable grief following the tragic loss of Aaron,” they said.

“To now face uncertainty over the sentence of the man responsible for his death adds further distress at an already devastating time.

“It is vital that the Ministry of Justice listens to victims and their families. Any move to shorten sentences in cases of this seriousness must be approached with the utmost caution and sensitivity.”

Nerys Evans MS said victims and their families must remain at the centre of the justice system.

She added: “We have written to the Ministry of Justice to seek assurance that the voice and view of Aaron’s family are able to be heard as part of any process to review the sentence.”

Ann Davies also raised the case in Westminster on Thursday, July 2.

Speaking in the House of Commons, she said her constituent Aaron Jones had been killed in a hit-and-run while walking his dog, and that his widow had since received a letter from the Ministry of Justice about sentence changes under the Sentencing Act 2026.

She asked whether ministers accepted that waiting until the end of August to learn whether Wyke could be released earlier than expected was causing further distress to victims’ families.

Sir Alan Campbell, Leader of the House of Commons, said he understood the sensitivity of the case and the distress caused to Aaron’s family.

He said: “These are difficult decisions, but I understand the point about assurances as far as they can be given to families.”

He added that he hoped the Ministry of Justice had heard the concerns and said he would raise the matter directly.

The Sentencing Act 2026 received Royal Assent in January. The Government says the reforms are intended to tackle prison overcrowding, increase the use of tougher community restrictions and make greater use of supervision and tagging after release.

However, the case has highlighted the anxiety caused to victims’ families when changes to release arrangements are communicated before the full impact on individual cases is known.

For Lisa Jones and her children, the question now is not only what decision will be made, but why they must wait weeks to find out.