Three drug gang members jailed for a total of 23 years

The men were jailed at Swansea Crown Court today

Author: Chris TatePublished 9th May 2022

Three men have been sentenced for a total of 23 years at Swansea Crown Court today for their part in a group that sold illegal drugs in South Wales and Oxfordshire.

30 year old Daniel Baker from Sandfield, Port Talbot, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A Cocaine, possession with intent to supply Class B Ketamine and possession of a s.5 firearm.

Steven Hughes, age 46, from Abercynon and Mark Lapper, age 41, from East Hanney, Oxfordshire both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A Cocaine. Hughes also pleaded guilty to possession of Class B Cannabis. Hughes was sentenced to 8 years in prison and Lapper sentenced to three years.

The sentencing comes after an 18-month long investigation codenamed Operation Formby by the South Wales Police Force Intelligence & Organised Crime Unit.

The gang trafficked Class A Cocaine and Class B Ketamine throughout the South Wales region, and in the Oxfordshire area of England. They were proven to have supplied 1kg of Cocaine between 2015 and 2018 and a further 9kg between May 2021 and August 2021. Police believe the 10 kilograms of cocaine would have had an estimated street value of between ÂŁ1.1 million and ÂŁ1.4 million.

Detective Inspector Russ Jenkins from the Force Intelligence & Organised Crime Unit said:

“Organised Crime Groups such as these have continued to operate within our local communities and have been brazen in their activities and believed they are beyond the reach of law.

“Our investigators have worked tirelessly, and continue to utilise all opportunities available, to investigate these offences and successfully prosecute those involved.

“The continued success of these operations provides reassurance and confidence to the communities of South Wales.”

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