A POLICE Chief has welcomed the jailing of gang members responsible for bringing drugs into North Wales and Shropshire for a total of more than 57 years.

The Leader reported on Friday how nine defendants appeared before Mold Crown Court to be sentenced.

All nine were jailed for their involvement in the organised crime gang - which came crashing down in March this year when an operations team from the NWROCU (North West Regional Organised Crime Unit) executed warrants at eleven addresses across North Wales, West Mercia and Merseyside, supported by officers from the forces. 

Large quantities of Class A and B drugs, cash, and mobile phones were seized from the properties.

During the investigation officers uncovered intelligence that the OCG planned to cause harm to a rival OCG.

Alongside the drug conspiracy, four members of the OCG were also convicted for conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm at a trial at Mold Crown court in October of this year.

Detective Inspector Adam Cooke from the NWROCU’s Operational Taskforce Team said: "This sentencing is a great result, and it means a county drug line between Liverpool and North Wales has been closed.

“County lines drug dealing destroys lives and communities, and we remain relentless in our pursuit of these criminals and to bring down serious and organised criminal groups.

“The impact those jailed have had on the rural town of Llangollen over the past 20 months has been detrimental.

"This popular tourist destination was flooded with Class A and B drugs and consequently the town has suffered from disorder, violence, and anti-social behaviour.

“I hope this result shows that the NWROCU, working with partners, will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of these people who think they are above the law, and we will continue to target criminals like these by thoroughly examining any evidence we find.”

Detective Chief Inspector Tim Evans from North Wales Police said: “Drug trafficking is particularly harmful to rural communities and brings with it violence, anti-social behaviour and acquisitive crime.

“North Wales Police continuously works with our colleagues in the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit to bring those causing the most harm to our communities to justice.

“We are committed to tackling serious and organised crime and have recently invested in enhancing our capabilities.

"We rely on information coming from the public and would encourage anyone who has any information which may assist us to tackle serious and organised crime to contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111, which is completely anonymous”.

The nine people who were in court on Friday and their sentences were as follows: 

  • Adrian Julienne, 25, of Stockbridge Village, Liverpool was jailed for 12 years and 4 months for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs and conspiracy to cause GBH. 
  • Paul Taylor, 41, of Wilderley Crescent, Shrewsbury was jailed for six years and nine months for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs. 
  • Rebecca Brockhurst (also known as Rebecca Owens), 32, of Chaucer Road, Oswestry was jailed for five years and four months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. 
  • Rebecca Edwards, 31, of Coed Afon, Llangollen was jailed for seven years and eight months for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs and conspiracy to cause GBH. 
  • Robert Evans, 48, of John Street, Llangollen was jailed for four years and five months for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs. 
  • Marcus Finchett, 29, of Fairview, Rhostyllen, Wrexham was jailed for 8 years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
  • Josh Ford, 26, of Froncysyllte, Werxham was jailed for six years and four months for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs and conspiracy to cause GBH.
  • Tyrone Hughes, 26, of Rhosymedre, Wrexham was jailed for two years for conspiracy to cause GBH.
  • Graham Thomas, 38, of College Road, Oswestry was jailed for four years for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.

Three other men are still to be sentenced as part of the conspiracy.