Drug-dealing Wrexham gang sentenced for more than 130 years

Members of a Wrexham drugs gang with links to organised crime were sentenced to a total of more than 133 years in prison at Caernarfon Crown Court this week.

During their trial last year, 16 defendants had previously been found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, specifically crack cocaine and heroin.

Three other defendants had pled guilty to participation in the activities of an organised crime group with links to Merseyside.

One defendant, Matthew Royce, failed to attend court and a warrant has been issued for his arrest

The cumulative value of the conspiracy charges was confirmed as £745,000 during court proceedings, with 7.45kg of Class A drugs seized by officers.

Graft phones – used in the sale of drugs – and high-value items of property were also seized during the course of the investigation.

In total, 14 men and five women were sentenced following an intensive policing operation, which involved detailed surveillance work and intensive intelligence gathering over a six-month period in 2020.

More than 50 officers were deployed in a series of arrest warrants in Caia Park and other areas of Wrexham in September and October 2020.

Addresses on East Avenue, Hazel Grove, Wyndham Gardens, Tryweryn Place, Hullah Lane, Portal Avenue and Y Wern were also targeted as part of this investigation.

Details of all those involved along with their respective sentences:-

• Ben William Brown, 32, of East Avenue, Wrexham (11 years, three months).
• Todd Connor Brown, 26, of Hazel Grove, Wrexham (11 years, three months).
• Jake Luke Rowley, 25, of Bryn Offa, Wrexham (11 years, three months).
• Francis David Delplacido, 30, of Grango Lane, Wrexham (eight years, three months).
• Zoe Platt, 29, of Grango Lane, Wrexham (nine years).
• Tia Platt, 22, of Gwenfro, Wrexham (six years, nine months).
• Stacey Martin, 27, of Gwenfro, Wrexham (two-year suspended sentence).
• Sean Skimmings, 31, of Hoole Road, Chester (six years, nine months).
• Bradley Sandford, 25, of Glan Gors, Wrexham (six years, nine months).
• Lewis Paul Morris, 20, of Y Wern, Wrexham (six years).
• Levi Rowlands, 21, of Gwenfro, Wrexham (eight years, six months).
• Aaron Martin, 31, of no fixed address (six years, nine months).
• Nathan Gordon Thomas, 26, of no fixed address (six years, nine months).
• Samantha Pemberton, 35, of Y Wern, Wrexham (eight years).
• Kim Michelle Williams, 48, of no fixed address (eight years, three months).
• James William Royce, 30, of Portal Avenue, Wrexham (six years, nine months).
• Matthew Philip Royce, 31, of Tryweryn Place, Wrexham (Failed to attend court, warrant issued).
• Lewis Davies, 23, of Queens Street, Wrexham (two-year suspended sentence).
• Nigel Rowley, 45, of no fixed address (seven years, two months).

Senior Investigating Officer, DI Mark Hughes said: “The sentences passed in the last two days should act as a strong deterrent to anyone considering any type of involvement with illegal drugs.

“I was delighted to hear the judge commend the investigative work of North Wales Police and their handling of the case throughout.

“Drugs, particularly Class A substances like cocaine and heroin, ruin lives and bring misery to users and their families.

“This investigation has dismantled an established supply network within Wrexham and that is testament to the diligent police work that went into bringing these cases to court.

“I’d also like to thank the public. This was an information-led investigation and the reports that initiated our work came from the residents of Caia Park and the wider Wrexham area.”

DCI Alun Oldfield added: “As officers, we welcome the sentencing over the last two days at Caernarfon Crown Court.

“The supply of Class A drugs within communities is a huge concern for many people, and we hope the severity of these sentences answer some of those concerns.

“Tackling drug supply will remain a high priority for North Wales Police and I hope that the public are reassured by the policing work that resulted in these convictions.

“Many of these individuals had links to other incidents, including thefts and burglary offences, and we would hope these sentences also mean that fewer of those crimes are reported now too.”