E-scooter ride leads to major Swansea drug bust

Police arrested three drug dealers involved in a cocaine operation known as the “Monkey line” after spotting one suspect riding an e-scooter in Swansea.

Officers on patrol near Swansea railway station recognised Kieran Jones-Mathias, who was wanted on a warrant, as he headed toward the city centre. After tracking him to Oystermouth Road, they arrested him outside a seafront hotel.

Examination of Jones-Mathias’ phones revealed connections to the “Monkey line” drugs operation, with one phone “ringing constantly” while in police custody despite appearing to have undergone a recent data wipe. 📱

Follow-up enquiries led police to a flat on New Orchard Street where they found Paul Morgan and Matthew Ace alongside almost £3,000 in cash, 85g of cocaine, and multiple mobile phones.

All three men initially answered “no comment” during police interviews, with Morgan only breaking silence to identify one phone contact as “the number of a prostitute.”

At Swansea Crown Court, Jones-Mathias (31) received a four-year sentence after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession of Valium and bromazepam tablets.

Morgan (41) was sentenced to three years and nine months, while Ace (37) received three years and 41 weeks after both pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and possession of criminal property.

The court heard all three men had extensive criminal histories, with Jones-Mathias previously serving time for intent to supply heroin and cannabis, while both Morgan and Ace had records including burglaries and vehicle offences.

Ace’s defence barrister, Ashanti-Jade Walton, told the court: “He grew up around crime and committed his first offence at the age of 10 and was introduced to drugs shortly afterwards.”

The defendants will serve up to half their sentences in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.