Newport drug gang jailed after £50k cocaine seizure

Five members of a Newport organised crime gang have been jailed for a combined 24 years and seven months for supplying cocaine and heroin across the city.

Ross Appleby, 27, William Inker, 25, Kieran McCormack, 27, Jaylin Foley, 19, and Melissa Probert, 33, all pleaded guilty to various drug offences when they appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday 13 October.

Officers from Gwent Police’s serious and organised crime unit uncovered the operation after raiding a property in Constable Drive in January 2024, where they seized almost 1kg of cocaine worth £50,000, cannabis worth £183.90, £30,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia. 💰

A further £12,520 in cash, a black Audi Q3, smartphones, an electric scooter and electric bike were later seized when Appleby was arrested in March.

Detective Constable Kieran Butcher said: “As part of Operation Stanley, we identified a cocaine drugs line that was operating predominantly in and around the Newport area.

“The evidence we gathered showed clearly that a mobile phone number associated with this particular organised crime group had a plethora of messages connected to the sale of cocaine.

“During our investigation, we identified that Appleby controlled the drugs line, while Inker, McCormack and Foley were also heavily involved in the supply of class A drugs, along with Probert.

“With overwhelming evidence against them, each defendant had little option but to plead guilty to the charges they faced in court.

“We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that drug dealers like these who bring misery, suffering and fear to our communities, are caught and brought to justice.

“These five criminals did not care about the suffering they caused to vulnerable people and their families – their only interest was in the profits they were making.”

Appleby received seven years and six months, Inker six years, McCormack five years, Foley three years and nine months, and Probert two years and four months. ⚖️

Anyone with information about illegal drug activity should contact Gwent Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.