Crime

Cocaine-dealing cousins jailed after police bust west Wales drug operation

Published

1 month ago

August 16, 2024

TWO cousins from Swansea have been sentenced for their roles in a cocaine-dealing operation, following a series of events that began with the keen observation of off-duty police officers. Ben Rose, 21, and Corey Jones, 20, were both apprehended after it was discovered that they were running a drug line known as the RJ line, which distributed high-purity cocaine across west Wales.

The court heard how, at the beginning of 2024, South Wales Police became aware of the RJ line operating in the city. This line was used to send bulk text messages to hundreds of recipients, advertising “fire”—a slang term for high-purity cocaine—and offering a delivery service. Despite the phone number being unregistered, data analysis revealed that it was frequently used to communicate with a large network of contacts, sometimes sending out messages to as many as 290 recipients at once.

The case against Rose and Jones began to unfold in an unexpected manner in April 2024. A group of off-duty officers from the western roads policing team were having a meal at the Turtle Bay restaurant in Swansea city centre when they noticed suspicious activity outside. A group of young people were gathered around an unregistered motorbike, and the officers, suspecting that the bike might be stolen, decided to intervene. When they approached, several of the youths attempted to flee, but the officers managed to apprehend them, including Jones, who was found to be carrying a mobile phone linked to the RJ drug line.

At first, the significance of the phone was not apparent. It was only after a detailed analysis of its contents that officers realised they had stumbled upon the nerve centre of a significant drug operation. Messages on the phone revealed the extent of the drug dealing activities, including the scale of distribution and the frequent communications between the dealers and their customers.

Further investigation linked the RJ line directly to Jones. Cell site analysis showed that Jones’ personal phone had co-located with the RJ line phone on 290 occasions between mid-February and early April 2024. Moreover, the RJ line’s SIM card had been used in Jones’ handset, providing irrefutable evidence of his involvement. It was also discovered that both the RJ line and Jones’ personal phone had been used to order taxis from his home in Mayhill and from his father’s address, further linking him to the operation.

The investigation then led police to Ben Rose, Jones’ cousin. Subscriber checks revealed that Rose had been in regular contact with both Jones and the RJ line, more frequently than with his own partner. This connection was further confirmed through data showing Rose’s phone had co-located with both the RJ line and Jones’ phone on multiple occasions. When police decided to arrest the two men on July 10, 2024, Jones was not at home, but he later surrendered himself to Swansea Central police station. Rose, who was on holiday in Turkey at the time, was arrested upon his return to the UK on July 22, 2024.

In court, it was revealed that Rose had a history of drug-related offences. In January 2022, he had been sentenced to 22 months in prison for drug trafficking and for smuggling prohibited items into HMP Parc near Bridgend. On that occasion, Rose and his accomplices had thrown socks filled with tobacco, mobile phones, chargers, drugs, and even miniature bottles of Jack Daniel’s whiskey and Smirnoff vodka over the prison wall before leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen Range Rover. Despite this, Rose had tried to reform his life, working for his father’s scaffolding business and becoming a father himself. However, he was lured back into the world of drug dealing, a decision that would have dire consequences.

Jones, who also had a troubled past, was previously involved in the notorious Mayhill riots of March 2022. At the time, his identity was protected due to his age, but the riot was one of the most significant instances of civil disorder in Swansea in recent years. Jones had grown up in difficult circumstances, splitting his time between homes in North Wales and Swansea, and had struggled with drug addiction from a young age. His descent into dealing was driven by his need to support his cocaine habit after he lost his job.

During sentencing, Judge Paul Thomas KC addressed the defendants, emphasising that they had both known the severe consequences of getting involved in the supply of Class A drugs. He told them that they had gambled with their futures and had lost. The judge sentenced Rose to four years in prison and Jones to 28 months in a young offenders’ institution. Both will serve up to half of their sentences in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.

The judge’s remarks underscored the gravity of the cousins’ actions and the impact that their involvement in drug dealing would have not only on their own lives but also on their families and the wider community. Rose’s young son, just a year old, and Jones’ attempts at rehabilitation and education were cited as examples of how their choices had repercussions far beyond their own immediate circumstances.

In a statement, South Wales Police praised the vigilance of the off-duty officers whose intervention had led to the arrests, highlighting the importance of community awareness and the role of law enforcement in tackling drug-related crime. The RJ line, which had been a significant source of cocaine in Swansea, was effectively dismantled thanks to the officers’ actions, and the conviction of Rose and Jones was seen as a significant victory in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking in the region.

Crime

Whitland fraudster admits accessing vulnerable woman’s bank account

Published

16 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Court Reporter

BRUCE Nankervis, of Flat 3 Farmers Arms, Whitland, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court facing charges of fraud by false representation. The court heard that Nankervis committed the offences in April and May 2023 by accessing the bank account of Angela Chatfield, intending to cause her loss.

On 24th April 2023, 25th April 2023, and 2nd May 2023, he dishonestly accessed Chatfield’s account without her knowledge or permission, taking advantage of his position of trust. Nankervis pleaded guilty to the charges on 28th August 2024.

The magistrates sentenced Nankervis to a suspended custodial period of 24 weeks, with a supervision period of 12 months, citing his flagrant disregard for people and their property and the fact that the offences were committed against a vulnerable person. The sentence was suspended to allow for his rehabilitation, maintain his recently acquired home, and enable him to reconnect with his daughter. He was also ordered to comply with rehabilitation activity requirements for up to 15 days and perform 50 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.

Additionally, Nankervis was ordered to pay £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service, a £154 surcharge, and £1,484 in compensation to Angela Chatfield. Payments are to be made in monthly instalments of £40 starting from 16th October 2024.

Crime

Parc Prison now much more stable, says Welsh Social Justice Minister

Published

16 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A SOUTH Wales prison where 10 inmates have died this year has made “considerable progress” in its management, according to a Welsh government minister.

Jane Hutt, the Social Justice Minister, stated that HMP Parc in Bridgend, which houses man prisoners from Pembrokeshire, is now “much, much more stable.” The prison, operated by security company G4S, has faced allegations of drug misuse but maintains it has a “zero-tolerance policy towards drugs.”

Minister Hutt said she received reassurances from Ian Barrow, who oversees the management of Welsh prisons, that there had been significant improvements at Parc following the appointment of a new director in June.

The minister announced plans to visit Parc later this month alongside the UK government’s prisons minister, Lord Timpson.

Will Styles was appointed as the new director of Parc after Heather Whitehead stepped down. Styles, who has been with G4S for a year managing HMP Five Wells in Northamptonshire, took over the role following Whitehead’s departure. G4S stated that her immediate exit in August 2023 was “not in response to one single incident.”

Since February, 10 inmates have died at the prison, with at least four of the deaths believed to be drug-related. In June, three prisoners were also hospitalised following disorder at the facility.

South Wales Police reported in March that a synthetic opioid, Nitazene, had been identified in connection with all four drug-related deaths, with another synthetic drug, Spice, also identified in two of the cases. G4S reiterated its “zero-tolerance policy towards drugs” in response to these findings.

The deaths have sparked protests from the families of inmates who died while in custody. In May, they demonstrated outside the prison, demanding answers from authorities regarding claims of drug misuse within the facility.

At the Social Justice Questions session in the Welsh Parliament on Wednesday, Conservative Senedd member Altaf Hussain expressed concerns about healthcare at Parc. In response, Jane Hutt extended her thoughts to the staff and families affected by the “deeply concerning” deaths in custody earlier this year.

Hutt stated that she met Ian Barrow last month and received “reassurances on the progress made at Parc” since the new director’s appointment. “My understanding from that meeting is that Parc has made considerable progress since the spring,” she added. “It’s now much more stable.”

She confirmed her upcoming visit to the prison with Lord Timpson on 30 September.

HMP Parc is one of the UK’s largest category B prisons, housing convicted male adult and young offenders, as well as convicted sex offenders or those awaiting trial for sex offences.

Crime

Police and Crime Commissioner preserves school safety programme

Published

1 day ago

September 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IN a determined move to protect the welfare of young people, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Dafydd Llywelyn has reaffirmed his commitment to funding the dedicated Schools Programme across Dyfed-Powys, following the controversial decision by the Welsh Government to withdraw financial support earlier this year.

The decision, made in January, to cut funding caused widespread concern among schools, parents, and the community, as the programme has long been integral in providing dedicated Schools Police Officers. These officers deliver essential educational and well-being support to pupils aged 5 to 16 through a bilingual curriculum. The service not only safeguards students but also plays a crucial role in their personal development and pastoral care.

PCC Llywelyn expressed his dismay at the government’s decision, particularly noting the lack of formal consultation with police forces across Wales. Nonetheless, he swiftly intervened to ensure the continuation of the Schools Programme in the Dyfed-Powys region until the end of the previous academic year.

Having secured re-election as Police and Crime Commissioner in May, Mr Llywelyn has since worked closely with local and national partners to devise a long-term plan to secure the future of the Schools Programme. This commitment was highlighted during his visit to Ysgol Bro Myrddin in Carmarthen on Wednesday, 18th September, where he observed the implementation of the newly launched School Service.

During the visit, Mr Llywelyn stated, “The safety and well-being of our children is paramount, and the role of the School Police Officers has been vital in creating safe, supportive environments in our schools. Any reduction in support for this service risked compromising the development and security of our young people. That is why I made it a priority to ensure that the Schools Service continues in our area.”

He further emphasised, “This was one of my top commitments during my re-election campaign, and I stand by my promise to support our schools and young people. Maintaining the Schools Service is essential not only for the immediate safety and support it offers but also for the future success and well-being of our students. I will continue to fight for its future and to protect the best interests of our children.”

The importance of the Schools Programme was also supported by Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis, who highlighted the positive impact of the Schools Police Officers’ work. “I’m a strong believer in the work conducted by our Schools Police Officers – when you spend time speaking to the teams and to the schools who receive the service, their true value is clear,” said Dr Lewis. “While they do the important work of delivering lessons that help children and young people better understand complex societal matters such as violence against women and girls, they also submit referrals on matters of concern and ensure demand to our frontline response teams is cut in several ways – all while preventing unnecessary criminalisation of children.”

He added, “I share the Police and Crime Commissioner’s commitment to the Schools Service and I am delighted we are able to maintain this critical service in Dyfed-Powys.”

The Schools Programme, originally supported by the Welsh Government, has been a vital resource in delivering educational support and ensuring the well-being of students across the region. Now, thanks to Mr Llywelyn’s intervention, the future of this service appears secure in Dyfed-Powys, safeguarding the safety and success of young people for the foreseeable future.