Op Blue Lancelot: First defendants sentenced for Wrexham drugs scheme

Of the 19 members of the organised criminal group, seven appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court on Wednesday.

Siôn ap Mihangel, prosecuting, told the court that over the course of just 24 weeks the gang's activities equated to a value of almost three quarters of a million pounds.

That made it one of the largest drugs conspiracies in North Wales, according to police experts.

For the defendants, the behaviour had become an "almost daily routine" which was run like a business.

It drew in multiple members of families and became a "part of family life" - even taking place around young children.

The conspiracy saw drugs being sourced in Liverpool and couriered over to North Wales where there was, in effect, an "area manager" overseeing the activities of street dealers.

It used a 'graft' phone system via which gang members were able to send bulk messages advertising the sale of drugs within Caia Park.

Todd Brown. Image: North Wales Police

This graft phone recorded more than 27,000 "events" throughout the lifetime of the conspiracy and it was used in eight handsets, as well as with five sim cards.

North Wales Police launched an operation named Blue Lancelot to tackle the criminals, and before the conspiracy was brought to an end numerous warrants were carried out - with all kinds of things seized.

Among those were weapons including a samurai sword, drugs, money, designer clothing and expensive watches, as well as paperwork detailing wage payments to other gang members.

Covert surveillance was also set up to monitor comings and goings at two central addresses; one in Y Wern and another in Gwenfro.

Mr ap Mihangel told the court that 26-year-old Todd Connor Brown, of Hazel Grove, was the 'head' of the organised crime group.

Ben Brown. Image: North Wales Police
Nicknamed "Hotrod," he arranged for the inward supply of both cocaine and heroin from wholesale suppliers in the Liverpool area and directed other defendants in the couriering, storage and distribution of the substances.

Over a 24 week period between April and October in 2020, 7.45kg of drugs - worth £745,000 - were dealt by the group.

Philip Tully, defending for Brown, said: "This was not the most sophisticated of operations and the conspiracy operated over a relatively short amount of time.

"He is still a young man and is in a settled relationship with a small child.

"He clearly regrets what he did and shows insight into his offending."

Jake Rowley. Image: North Wales Police

Judge Nicola Saffman told Todd Brown: "You were clearly at the very heart of this conspiracy and those operating lower down were repeatedly threatened with being reported to you if they were under-performing.

"Right at the beginning of the global pandemic, this conspiracy operated with no breaks.

"The terrible impact on communities cannot be underestimated."

He was jailed for 11 years and three months for conspiracy to supply both crack cocaine and heroin.

Todd Brown's brother, Ben Brown of East Avenue, turned 32 on the day of the sentencing.

Kim Williams. Image: North Wales Police

The court heard he "regularly delivered" drugs to the address in Gwenfro for onward sale and was responsible for collecting the financial proceeds.

Simon Rogers, defending for Ben Brown, said: "His partner gave birth to their second child while the defendant was on remand for these offences and it is clear his absence from the family unit has been keenly felt.

"A significant point to make is the positive change he has made while in custody - he has undertaken a mentoring course and and the opportunity to educate himself."

His was a "leading" role, the Judge said - before giving him an identical sentence to his brother for the same offences.

Tia Platt. Image: North Wales Police
Jake Rowley, aged 25 and of Bryn Offa, was also considered to have a leading role in the gang.

He acted as an "area manager" for the drug dealing enterprise and had overall responsibility for the graft phone.

Debra White, defending for Rowley, said time already spend on remand had been "distressing" for him due to the lack of contact with his young son.

He claimed to have been "done with this way of life," and wants a "fresh start."
For the same offences as the Brown brothers, Rowley also received a sentence of 11 years and three months.

Up next for sentence was Kim Michelle Williams, of no fixed abode.

The court heard she was "actively managing sub-dealers," with messages on the phone suggesting she retained a bulk quantity of drugs to ensure other street dealers were stocked up.

Zoe Platt. Image: North Wales Police
She was also found to have maintained lists of wages for other members in the conspiracy.

Gary Harvey, defending for Williams, said: "She hails from Wrexham, where this conspiracy took place - and it's not lost on her, the effect this has had on the community.

"It is clear that she didn't at any time have any financial gain from this enterprise.

"The benefit for her was simply to be rewarded in drugs."

Judge Saffman jailed her for eight years and three months.

Sisters Zoe Platt, of Grango Lane in Ponciau, and Tia Platt of Gwenfro, were both jailed for their roles in the group.

The court heard 21-year-old Tia Platt was a "top contact" of the graft phone and had supervised the distribution of drugs in the Caia Park area with her partner Jake Rowley.

Duncan Bould, defending for Tia Platt, said much of his client's life experiences had been directed by others and she had always tried to make the best of what she was presented with.

The mum-of-two, who is currently pregnant with her third child, was handed a sentence of six years and nine months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

Bradley Sandford. Image: North Wales Police
Her 29-year-old sister, a mum-of-three who is also pregnant, was jailed for nine years for the same offences - given no credit due to her conviction after trial.

Nicholas Williams, defending for Zoe Platt, said his client had been very upset at having to say goodbye to her children and that since the offences she had shown a "real drive" to better herself.

Judge Saffman said it grieved her "greatly" to jail mothers and that the sentences would be even more onerous due to their pregnancies.

She said she had no doubt it had been their partners who had drawn them into the criminality, but urged the sisters to stick together and help each other in jail - telling them not to let the sentence "crush" them.

Finally, 25-year-old Bradley Sandford, of Glan Gors, was jailed for six years and nine months after the court heard he was a graft phone handler and street dealer.

Andrew Green, defending for Sandford, said: "He is still of an age where he is maturing, and still young enough that every year of his life in custody will be a significant punishment to him.

"This is not the life he wants to lead. He wants his son to be proud of him."
The sentencing will continue on Thursday.

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