Drug Gang Jailed 32 Years After Major North Wales Operation

Seven members of an organised crime group who supplied drugs from Rhyl across Denbighshire and Conwy have been jailed for a combined total of almost 32 years following a major police operation.

The sentencing at Mold Crown Court on Thursday, 22nd May, comes after Operation Combustion – a six-month investigation into a conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis between September 2023 and October 2024.

In October 2024, more than 90 officers from across the force area and the Northwest Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) executed coordinated strikes across North Wales, with eight warrants targeting various addresses. The day of action resulted in eight men being charged and remanded into custody.

A large quantity of drugs and cash were seized along with various weapons, including a machete.

The sentences for conspiring to supply cocaine, heroin and cannabis were:

• Alex Coxon, 27, of Rhys Avenue, Kinmel Bay – 8 years
• David Ryan Jones, 29, of Aquarium Crescent, Rhyl – 7 years, 3 months
• Cameron Moule, 29, of Cefndy Road, Rhyl – 6 years
• McCorley Chamberlain, 28, of Henllan Place, Denbigh – 6 years
• Jamie Lawrence, 34, of Maesgwyn, Kinmel Bay – 4 years, 8 months
• Kevin Harrop, 29, of Glan Y Mor Road, Penrhyn Bay – 2 years suspended for 2 years
• William Coxon, 59, of Rhys Avenue, Kinmel Bay – 2 years suspended for 2 years

An eighth man, James Higham, 39, of Penrhyn Avenue, Prestatyn, previously admitted to the offences and was jailed for 8 months at Caernarfon Crown Court on 31st March.

The operation began when Macauley Wood, 28, of Glascoed Avenue, Kinmel Bay, was arrested in May 2024 following a drugs warrant. A mobile phone seized during searches led officers to discover the “Tommo line” drug operation. Wood was subsequently sentenced to 27 months imprisonment at Mold Crown Court on 1st August 2024 for being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin.

Investigations revealed Alex Coxon headed the Tommo line whilst his father William laundered drugs money. Alex Coxon also distributed drugs to David Jones, who supplied others. James Lawrence, McCorley Chamberlain and Cameron Moule were involved in street dealing to users.

In July 2024, several thousands of pounds worth of cocaine and heroin were found in Cameron Moule’s shed. The following month, over a kilogram of class A drugs and over £7,000 in cash were seized from an electricity box in the garden of Coxon’s neighbour.

Detective Constable Chris Wynne from the Central Priority Crime Team said: “I would like to express my thanks to the community for their support during our investigation. We are committed to making North Wales a hostile environment for those who engage in organised criminality. We are determined to bring people who bring misery to the towns and villages of North Wales to justice.”

Chief Superintendent Owain Llewellyn added: “This sentence reflects the excellent work carried out by our local policing team. Throughout the investigation we have been well supported by the community, who had grown tired of seeing these individuals flaunting criminally obtained wealth and creating fear on the streets of Rhyl and wider areas. We are committed to our fight against organised criminality across North Wales and will respond robustly to community intelligence.”

Anyone with information about drug supply in North Wales can contact police via their website, call 101, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.