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An organised crime group responsible for supplying Class A and Class B drugs across Wrexham and Flintshire has been dismantled following a major police operation, with members handed sentences totalling 128 years behind bars.
Reporting restrictions that had been in place throughout the proceedings were lifted today (Wednesday, 11 March) after the final sentencing hearings concluded at Mold Crown Court and Caernarfon Crown Court.
The investigation
The covert inquiry, codenamed Operation Lardy, ran for six months and focused on a suspected cocaine and cannabis supply network operating across north-east Wales between April 2022 and September 2023.
North Wales Police led the probe with support from the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU).
The raids
In September 2023, officers carried out co-ordinated warrants across more than 20 properties in Wrexham and Flintshire over three days. Twenty people were arrested during the operation, including three individuals detained at Manchester Airport.
Officers recovered cocaine estimated to be worth more than £150,000, cannabis with a street value exceeding £20,000, along with cash, weapons and mobile phones.
An estimated £550,000 was also laundered through suspects’ bank accounts as part of the conspiracy, with those assets now seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The sentences
Sentencing hearings took place between November 2024 and March 2026. The custodial sentences handed down were:
Jason Carolan, 44, of Wern Las, Rhosllanerchrugog – 10 years for conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs.
Ellen Marie Davies, 42, of no fixed address – 10 years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Richard Rickards, 37, of Bodlyn, Acrefair – nine years and six months for conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs.
Ronnie Williams, 33, of Wern Las, Rhosllanerchrugog – nine years and four months for conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs.
Owen Wesley, 36, of Mancot Way, Mancot – nine years and two months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Ismail Jama, 31, of Rockdove Avenue, Manchester – nine years for conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs.
Glyn Mayne, 54, of Ty Coch Street, Henllan – nine years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Andrew Wayne Osborne, 37, of Hill Court, Wrexham – seven years and six months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Peter Allan Meyers, 62, of Crane Street, Cefn Mawr – six years and nine months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Adam Butler, 30, of Whalleys Way, Acrefair – six years and eight months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Emma Davies, 41, of Maes Madoc, Acrefair – six years and six months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Luke Ridgeway-Mathews, 27, of Maes Madoc, Acrefair – six years and four months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Robert Alan Evison, 46, of Chathams Close, Acrefair – six years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Levi James Hughes, 28, of Heol Y Parc, Bradley, Wrexham – six years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Liam Wright, 26, of Coronation Drive, Chirk – five years and four months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Emily Brooke Hughes, 23, of James Farm Cottages, Ruabon – four years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Samantha Harrill, 39, of Heol Y Plas, Cefn Mawr, received a three-year community order for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Hilary Vaughan, 49, of Wrenbury Court, Cefn Mawr; Lucy Williams, 27, of Cunliffe Walk, Wrexham; and Roxanne McCarthy, 35, of Bodlyn, Acrefair, each received suspended sentences for their involvement in using third-party bank accounts to facilitate payments for controlled substances. Devan Lewis, 25, of Bryn Maelor, Southsea, was also given a suspended sentence for being concerned in the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property.
DS Dave Evans of North Wales Police said: “This is an exceptional result, with the defendants sentenced to a combined 128 years in prison.
“During the investigation, our officers acted on intelligence gathered by the NCA and ROCU in relation to the supply of illegal drugs, specifically cocaine, in northeast Wales.
“As well as the substantial sentences that were handed down, our investigation resulted in significant high-value drug seizures, which ensured that these illegal substances were taken off the streets.
“An estimated £550,000 was also laundered through the accounts of suspects as part of this drug conspiracy, with these assets now seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
“Illegal drugs have a hugely detrimental impact on communities, so cutting off supplies and removing those responsible for drug dealing from our communities is of huge importance to us.
“Our communities should not have to live among drug dealers, and we are committed to ensuring that we identify, locate, and remove these offenders.
“I hope these recent sentences reassure residents that we are doing all we can to tackle offending of this nature, while also serving as a warning to those who choose to be involved in drugs offences that you will be caught and brought to justice.
“We would urge anyone who has any information regarding drug dealing or other organised crimes taking place in their communities to come forward so we can get dangerous individuals off the street.”
