Five jailed for 19 years after Tylorstown drugs operation

Five people from Rhondda Cynon Taf have been sentenced to a combined total of more than 19 years in prison following a major drugs operation.

Officers from South Wales Police’s Organised Crime Unit executed a warrant at a property on East Road, Tylorstown, Ferndale, on March 26, 2025, as part of Operation Oonopsis, an ongoing operation to tackle and disrupt serious organised crime groups and the supply of drugs.

Upon entering the premises, officers found Stephen Williams alone in an upstairs bedroom. A search uncovered a safe in a front bedroom which Williams claimed he did not have the key to, stating he had rented the room to “Ferret”, later identified as Kyle Hughes. Officers forcibly opened the safe and recovered 1,681 grams of cocaine, weighing scales, and sandwich bags used for packaging drugs.

While the search was ongoing, E.ON energy inspectors discovered that the electricity meter was being bypassed, posing a fire risk. Williams was arrested for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and electricity abstraction.

Following Williams’s statements about Hughes, officers stopped his Renault Megane and searched him, discovering £7,000 in cash. A search of Hughes’s home revealed a cannabis grow operation with 17 plants.

Later that day, officers arrested Matthew Perkins, who had paid Hughes £25,000, for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. A large quantity of cocaine was found at Perkins’s property, similar to that recovered from Williams. Ashley Murphy and Sara Qamber, who were present during the arrest, were also charged.

Mobile phone evidence showed active involvement in drug supply operations, including sales offers and messages discussing drug transactions.

On Friday, the five were sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court:

Kyle Hughes, 31, of Penrhys Avenue, Tylorstown, Ferndale – five years and 11 months for possessing with intent to supply cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and production of cannabis.

Ashley Murphy, 37, of Cefn Bryn, Trebanog, Porth – two years and four months for being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

Matthew Perkins, 43, of Upper Gynor Place, Ynyshir, Porth – five years and seven months for possessing with intent to supply cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and possessing cocaine.

Sara Qamber, 30, of Park View, Llanharan, Pontyclun – two years and seven months for being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

Stephen Williams, 41, of East Road, Tylorstown – two years and nine months for being concerned in the supply of cocaine.