Members of a Powys drugs gang have been convicted of bringing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of heroin, cocaine and cannabis into the county.
The county lines drug operation involved bringing large quantities of cocaine and heroin from the Wolverhampton area into the Leighton Arches caravan park site in Welshpool for distribution to Welshpool, Newtown, Knighton and other Powys towns over a number of months.
Daniel Seyffert, 39, of High Street, Presteigne, and Lee Husbands, 22, of Bowling Green Lane, Knighton, were both found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs following a trial at Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday, March 4.
The jury was unable to return a verdict on a third defendant, Lucy Lloyd, 34, of Heyope, Knighton.
Martin John Gallagher, 35, and Michael Power, 20, both of Leighton Arches, Welshpool, had changed their pleas to guilty at the start of the trial.
A further eight people – Patrick David Stokes, 33 and John Paul Power, 26, both of Leighton Arches, Welshpool; Sheldon Terrence Kay, 24, of Station Road, Knighton; Kristian Rigby, 28, of Radnor Drive, Knighton; Kane Glyn Bastable, 24, of Clarence Road, Wolverhampton; Kuldeep Sahota, 35, of Broad Lanes, Wolverhampton; Gavin Andrew Tony Warley, 29, of Fourth Avenue, Wolverhampton and Joshua Large, 23, of Brook Close, Coven – all pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.
During the execution of a warrant at the Leighton Arches travellers’ site on June 21, 2021, a major Dyfed Powys Police operation involving 80 officers uncovered a significant amount of drugs.
Detective Inspector Richard Lewis said a lot of hard work had gone into the investigation, with his officers able to prove the movements of the organised crime group (OCG) proving critical to securing a far-reaching prosecution.
“We welcome the conviction and sentencing of people who have been involved in bringing drugs into our communities,” said DI Lewis.
“A lot of work has gone into proving the extent of this operation so I would like to thank everyone involved in securing these convictions.
“Removing this OCG will have wider impact on the community than simply removing a drugs theat. The associated antisocial behaviour, fear and threats that associate this type of activity will be far reaching.
“These convictions show that dealing drugs is not worth it. Not only will we seek to bring you to justice for these offences but we will seek to recoup any money or assets that you have profited from as a result of your criminal activity.”
Chief Inspector Jacqui Lovatt added: “The drugs activities and associated anti-social behaviour of these individuals significantly impacted upon the Powys community, including the quality of life for local businesses and residents.
“This result will not only have a positive impact on the community in removing the threat posed by these individuals but will also send a strong message to anybody concerned in the supply of drugs across Powys and that it won’t be tolerated.
“I would like to reassure the public that we will continue to act on all concerns over drugs use and abuse.”
Sentencing of all individuals will take place at a later date.
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