Newport Hotel Drug Gang Jailed in Major Class A Bust

A drugs gang operating from a Newport hotel has been jailed for a combined total of 33 years following their involvement in the supply of class A drugs. 💊⚖️

Mohammed Hassan and Tyrell Germaine

Mohammed Hassan, 46, who managed the Box Hotel on Corporation Road in Newport, was at the centre of the operation where heroin, cocaine and ecstasy were stored and meetings took place. Additional drugs were also kept at the Box Guesthouse on Stow Hill.

Among those involved were Jamie Germaine, 52, and his sons Shaquille, 27, and Tyrell, 29, who ran what prosecutors described as a “family business” supplying thousands of ecstasy tablets.

Cardiff Crown Court heard the entire operation was overseen remotely by a drugs kingpin living “the high life” in Cambodia.

During sentencing, Judge Daniel Williams told Hassan: “In certain respects, this group was disorganised. Your life, Mr Hassan was, you may agree, chaotic. You are breathtakingly dishonest and during your evidence at trial it was, on occasion, laughable. But you played a leading role in supplying vast amounts of three types of drug capable of devastating lives, devastating livelihoods and ruining families. Your self-serving patter looks less funny when you consider that.”

Hassan was jailed for 14 years after being found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

The Germaine family members, all from Pepys Crescent in Llanrumney, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to their involvement. Jamie Germaine admitted conspiracy to supply ecstasy, while Shaquille and Tyrell Germaine accepted being concerned in the supply of the class A drug.

The court heard the trio had previously been jailed in 2019 over a conspiracy to supply nearly £4 million of cannabis.

Judge Williams sentenced Jamie Germaine to seven years and four months, Shaquille Germaine to seven years and six months, and Tyrell Germaine to four years and two months.

Six other defendants connected to the case were sentenced to a total of 52 years last December.

The offences took place between November 1, 2022 and September 13, 2023.