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Crime

Seven members of Welsh drugs gang jailed for over 82 years

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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

Teenager banned from roads after being caught six times over drug-drive limit

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A DOCK teenager has lost his licence after driving his vehicle on the Cleddau Bridge when he was six times over the legal drug-drive limit.

Gethin Moseley, 19, was stopped by officers carrying out random traffic checks on the bridge on January 24.  Smelling cannabis emanating from his Mazda, a roadside drugs swipe was carried out which proved positive  Subsequent blood tests showed that Moseley had 14 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system, the legal limit being 2.

Moseley, of Milton Terrace, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week.  He was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill who informed the Bench that the defendant only uses cannabis recreationally or socially.  He has no previous convictions.

Moseley was fined £249 and ordered to pay a £100 court surcharge and £85 costs.  He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

 

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Crime

Drunk motorist arrested at Pembrokeshire petrol station

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A Johnston motorist has appeared before magistrates after being caught driving when he was almost twice the legal drink-drive limit.

Police received a call at around 11am on April 23 from a member of the public concerned that local resident Martin Phelps, 55, was driving after consuming alcohol.

“He was at the petrol station and the member of the public was concerned that he was drunk,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“When they arrived, they could see he  was unsteady on his feet and had trouble getting into his parked vehicle.”

 When spoken to by the officers, Phelps admitted drinking alcohol earlier that morning.  Subsequent breathalyser tests carried out at the police station, showed that Phelps had 68 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

Phelps, of Langford Road, Johnston,  pleaded guilty to drink-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill.

“He’s had a troublesome relationship with alcohol which has increased over the years,” she told the court.

“He’s engaged with the Dyfed Drugs and Alcohol Advisory Service and Alcoholics Anonymous  over the years, and this incident has been a wake up call for him.”

Phelps was disqualified from driving for 17 months and fined £120.  He must also pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.  He was disqualified form driving for 17 months.

 

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Crime

Violent man jailed after ‘Banksy’ claims and campaign of domestic abuse

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A PEMBROKESHIRE woman told a court she wished her former partner had killed her after enduring a campaign of violence and coercive control by a man who claimed to be Banksy.

Patrick Smyth, 49, of Oaks Avenue, Romford, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday to 22 months in custody after admitting coercive and controlling behaviour and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Smyth met the woman while on holiday in Tunisia in 2024 and later travelled from Essex to visit her in Haverfordwest.

Thomas Scapens KC, prosecuting, said Smyth quickly began mentally and physically abusing her. He checked her phone, isolated her from friends and family, and installed a phone tracking app which he controlled under the username “Powerful 666”.

He also claimed he was Banksy, the world-famous street artist, telling the victim he was powerful, wealthy and well connected.

“He copied Banksy’s signature and presented it to her, and she believed everything he told her,” Mr Scapens said.

The court heard that Smyth’s abuse escalated during a trip to Cardiff in July 2025, when the couple attended a concert. Smyth lost his temper and had to be removed by security.

Later, at the Coal Exchange hotel, he locked the victim in a room and placed a chair under the door handle to stop her leaving.

“He beat her continuously,” said Mr Scapens. “He put his hand around her throat to prevent her breathing.”

Hotel staff heard him calling her a “slag” and later saw reddening to her neck. They moved the woman to another room for her safety, but Smyth repeatedly tried to force his way inside, banging on the door and shouting.

Staff contacted the woman’s son, who worked in Cardiff. When he arrived, he became emotional after seeing her condition.

In September 2025, Smyth threw the woman into a wardrobe, fracturing two of her ribs. The following month, despite being on bail with a condition not to contact her, he turned up at her home.

“He pushed past her, tied her to a chair in the kitchen and turned off the lights,” said Mr Scapens.

The court heard Smyth refused to let her use the toilet and told her men were coming from London to put her in a pre-dug grave.

The final incident happened in October after the couple visited Morrisons in Haverfordwest. Smyth became aggressive in the store and threw shopping items at the victim. Concerned staff asked a security guard to shadow them.

During the taxi journey home, Smyth threatened to break the woman’s legs and punch her. When the taxi driver intervened, Smyth threatened to break his legs too.

Later that evening, a 999 call was made. No one spoke, but officers could hear a woman screaming and a man’s voice in the background.

When police arrived, they found the victim with cuts to her head. She was extremely upset and tried to hide her face in her roll-neck jumper.

When asked what had happened, she said: “I would in a heartbeat, but I can’t.” The court heard this was because Smyth was listening outside.

In a victim impact statement read to Judge Catherine Richards, the woman said her life had been “fundamentally scarred”.

“I hid my injuries away from other family members because I was scared,” she said.

“I’m scared to go out in case Patrick is there. I don’t treat life the same way anymore and I don’t leave the house by myself.

“It got to the point where I wish Patrick had killed me because I’d prefer to be dead. I’ll never be the same again.”

Smyth appeared by video link from prison, where he had been remanded since his arrest.

His barrister said he “wishes no bad will on the victim” and had reflected on his behaviour.

“He wishes to apologise,” she said. “He has no intention of making any further form of contact with her. Custody has acted as a wake-up call.”

Sentencing Smyth to 22 months in custody, Judge Richards said half would be served in prison and the remainder on licence.

 

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