Pontarddulais cocaine trio jailed for drug dealing operation

Three people from Pontarddulais have been jailed for their roles in a “sophisticated and lucrative” cocaine dealing operation that was uncovered when police seized a mobile phone.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Gemma Harries, 35, had not told her two teenage daughters she was facing a lengthy prison sentence. The court was told her recreational drug use led to addiction and debts, which resulted in her involvement in drug supply.

Harries was sentenced alongside Aled Williams, 29, and Gavin Wellington, 35, all from Pontarddulais. The operation unravelled after Williams was arrested in July and found carrying £1,360 in cash. His phone contained messages relating to cocaine supply in quantities from one gram up to several ounces.

Police searches led them to Wellington’s property, where empty cocaine packaging with a “BMW” logo was found hidden in a walk-in wardrobe. The packaging was consistent with two one-kilogram blocks of cocaine. At Harries’ address, officers recovered drugs, cash, and a “tick list” of money owed that had been updated the day before her arrest.

The court heard Williams was slightly above Wellington in the hierarchy, with Wellington storing the group’s drugs. Messages on Harries’ phone showed she supplied drugs both with the men and to her own customers.

None of the three had previous convictions. Williams’ barrister said his client had spiralled into addiction, at one stage consuming one gram of cocaine and half an ounce of cannabis daily, meaning “most of his wages were going on drugs”. Wellington’s defence said he developed depression following a close friend’s suicide 18 months earlier.

Judge Paul Thomas said the defendants had been involved in supplying large quantities of class A drugs knowing they faced lengthy prison sentences if caught. He said those with families had not given their loved ones “a single thought” when they “stupidly and greedily” involved themselves in “selling this filthy substance”.

With discounts for guilty pleas, Williams was sentenced to five years and seven months, Wellington to five years and three months, and Harries to four years and four months. They will serve up to half their sentences in custody before being released on licence.