Rhondda couple ran cocaine operation directing drug runners

A couple from the Rhondda valleys have been sentenced after being caught running a cocaine dealing operation that involved directing drug runners to supply customers across the area.

Tony Mann, 28, and Roxanne Gilder, 33, were arrested on August 23 by South Wales Police’s organised crime unit in Tylorstown. When officers searched Mann, they found £205 in cash and a mobile phone.

A warrant was then carried out at Gilder’s home on Penrhys Road in Penrhys, where drug paraphernalia was discovered along with a tick list, a knuckleduster, uncounted cash hidden in a bottle, and another phone. Officers also found a takeaway pot containing 118g of cocaine, a white rock, and a green wrap concealed in Mann’s underwear.

At Mann’s address on Miskin Road in Trealaw, officers seized two SIM cards and a diary.

The phone recovered from Penrhys Road contained messages which showed both defendants had been using it to direct drug runners. There were also messages about drug debts they owed and were owed to them.

Mann, of Miskin Road, Trealaw, Tonypandy, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and being concerned in the supply of cocaine. He has six previous convictions for possession of cannabis and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Gilder, of Penrhys Road, Penrhys, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and possession of an offensive weapon. She is of previous good character.

Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard that Mann had been abandoned by his family and had spent a period living homeless in Swansea. Gilder was said to have played a “lesser and subordinate” role to her co-defendant.

Sentencing the pair on Thursday, Judge Vanessa Francis said: “(Mann), having been a drug user yourself, you became indebted to your supplier and began selling drugs in order to pay off your debt. You involved your partner Gilder to do that.

“You weren’t simply handing out small amounts of drugs to street users, you were involving other people to run for you to pay off their own debts. This was a more substantial, well thought of, professional operation than someone standing on a street corner and dealing drugs to one or two people.”

Mann was sentenced to a total of 57 months imprisonment.

Gilder was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months, and was ordered to carry out a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement.