Four jailed for Newport drugs factory with 200,000 tablets

Four men have been jailed for their roles in running an industrial-scale drugs operation that manufactured more than 200,000 tablets in Newport.

Barry Patrick, 38, Leon Patrick, 31, James Mosley, 41, and Alun Yhnell, 40, were arrested in December 2022 following intelligence that they were manufacturing Class A drugs.

Officers searched their home addresses before discovering a vehicle repair garage in Rudry Road, Newport, where they found more than 200,000 tablets made with both MDMA (Class A) and Bromazolam (Class C), along with machinery including pill packaging and labelling equipment. A cannabis cultivation was also hidden behind a picture hung on one of the walls.

James Mosley, from Chepstow, and Barry and Leon Patrick, both from Kent, entered guilty pleas in August 2025, whilst Alun Yhnell, from Newport, was found guilty by a jury.

All four appeared at Merthyr Crown Court on Monday, 17 November for sentencing.

Barry Patrick was sentenced to two years and seven months for conspiracy to produce Class C controlled drugs (Benzodiazepines), production of Class B controlled drug (cannabis), possession with intent to supply Class B controlled drugs (cannabis), and possession with intent to supply Class A controlled drugs (MDMA).

Leon Patrick was sentenced to 31 months for conspiracy to produce Class C controlled drugs (Benzodiazepines), production of Class B controlled drug (cannabis), and possession with intent to supply Class B controlled drugs (cannabis).

James Mosley and Alun Yhnell received two years and seven months, and three and a half years respectively for conspiracy to produce Class C controlled drugs (Benzodiazepines).

Senior investigation officer, DI Ian Bartholomew said: “This has been a protracted and lengthy investigation. The evidence seized at the various properties linked to the group, along with messages and invoices for supplies demonstrate the industrial scale that the drugs factory produced.

“The 200,000 tablets found at the garage alone had a street value of up to £200,000 while nearly £50,000 worth of cannabis was found at the home addresses of Barry and Leon Patrick.

“We know the devastation that drug dealing can have on our communities. Those involved in the supply of drugs have no regard for the lives they affect and the harm they can cause.

“We welcome today’s sentence and hope that it demonstrates our commitment to pursuing those involved in serious and organised crime and bringing them to justice.”