The head of a Valleys’ drugs gang has been jailed for 14 years following a two-year investigation by Tarian – the Welsh Regional Organised Crime Unit.
Crime boss Michael Martin, 50, from Bargoed, used his underworld contacts across the UK to form a drug empire and was jailed alongside 21 others who were also involved.
Operation Hallett, which was managed by Tarian, was a two-year investigation involving covert policing techniques.
During the course of the investigation an address in Ystrad Rhondda was searched which led to the recovery of £1.2 million in cash, along with a sawn-off shotgun, cartridges and a cheetah stun gun.
Around £2.5m of drugs were also seized as part of the operation. These were 197kg of cannabis, with a street value of around £575,928 and 88kg of amphetamine sulphate, street value £1,963,760.
The 22 jailed gang members formed part of a wider crime group from the Merseyside, Manchester, South Wales and Essex areas.
Those from Caerphilly County Borough were: Greg Davies, 44, of Bargoed, jailed for five years and six months; Robert Lindsay Stook, 34, of Oakdale, jailed for four years and eight months; Joanne Marie Smith, 32, of Bargoed, jailed for 22 months; and Andrew Ronald Thomas, 39, of Risca, jailed for five years and six months.
DCI Huw Davies of the Regional Organised Crime Unit commented: “This is another positive result for the Welsh Regional Organised Crime unit and the communities we serve, the sentencing reflects the professionalism and tenacity of the investigating team, together with the Crown Prosecution Service during what can only be described as a complex enquiry.
“Clearly the individuals involved in this case, especially Michael Martin, have no regard for the law and were intent on making large sums of money from their drug dealing activities, with no consideration of the terrible impact their actions were having on our communities.
“The level of this investigation and sentencing should send a clear message to those intent on committing serious crime within our region, that you will ultimately be held responsible for your actions.
“We are committed to targeting all forms of organised criminals and I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to the public that if they have any information that can help us then please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Michael Martin was previously jailed for nine years in 2006 for his part n a similar drug operation.
Seven police forces were involved in Operation Reptile, which seized drugs worth £2.5m.