Four jailed over ‘Marlow’ county lines drug ring in Swansea

A county lines drug operation has been dismantled after four men were caught supplying heroin and crack cocaine in Swansea.

The street deal

Plain-clothed officers from South Wales Police’s Organised Crime Team spotted 58-year-old Barry Iylett in the middle of a drug deal in the St. Thomas area on 9 September last year. Iylett, from Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, was quickly linked to a network known as the ‘Marlow’ drugs line, and investigators identified an AirBNB he had been using as a base.

The getaway attempt

As officers moved in on the property, three more men were seen running from the AirBNB clutching bags of clothing. The trio jumped into a taxi heading for Swansea train station but were intercepted and detained before they could escape.

The evidence

Among those stopped was 46-year-old Joseph Bilcough, from Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, who was found carrying a mobile phone used to send bulk text messages advertising heroin and crack cocaine to customers. The device was directly tied to the ‘Marlow’ line.

Also detained were 24-year-old Finlay Price-Smallman, from Hertford, Hertfordshire, and 23-year-old Andrew Avraam.

Sentencing

All four men pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin.

On 23 January, Iylett and Bilcough were each sentenced to three years in prison. Iylett also admitted possessing heroin.

Price-Smallman received 31 months’ imprisonment after additionally pleading guilty to possession of cannabis resin, while Avraam was handed a 27-month sentence.

Sergeant Luke Tucker said: “Through joint work between South Wales Police and Metropolitan Police, officers were able to evidence that all four men were working together and had been travelling from England to supply heroin and crack cocaine on the streets of Swansea, branding their drug line as the ‘Marlow’ line.

“Swansea and the wider community are better off now that these men have been all been sent to prison.”