SIX men have been jailed for a total of over 40 years after police officers cracked an organised cocaine gang.

Ringleader Matthew Smith, 37, of Sunny View, Pontlottyn, was jailed for nine years and four months.

Gareth Price, 28, of Queen’s Road, Elliot’s Town, was jailed for seven years, and Jory Kift, 25, of School Street, Elliot’s Town, was given a six years and eight months sentence.

Meanwhile Jamie Myerscough, 27, of Gilfach Street, Bargoed, Bradley Williams, 31, of Coronation Road, Abertillery, and Callum Lewis, 24, of Alfred Street, Abertysswg, all received six-year prison terms.

Today, Newport Crown Court heard the six men had been involved in the supply of cocaine between December 4, 2017 and May 4, 2018.

The drugs were received from suppliers “further up the chain”, and then sold on to suppliers after being stored and cut.

Judge Daniel Williams noted that “substantial amounts of money” would have gone into the hands of those involved.

The court heard that Matthew Smith had a leading role in the gang, dealing with supply and customers.

Price was described as “the next in line” in the chain of command. His address was used as a meeting place and a delivery address. He also controlled a disused railway carriage where the drugs were cut and packaged.

Kift, the court heard, allowed the gang to use hi garage to store cocaine, and had full knowledge of the scale of the operation being run by Smith.

Lewis delivered cocaine on behalf of the gang ad received money in return.

The other members were customers of Smith, who collected the cocaine and sold it to their own network of users.

All six men had previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cocaine.

In mitigation, Lucy Crowther, representing Smith, said that until 2016, Smith had always worked hard to support his family.

“the fact that he has found himself in this situation has brought great shame on him,” she added.

Defending Price, T. Woods told the court that the defendant’s parents were not in good health, and that they would have to cope without him after this sentencing.

“It will be difficult for them. His sentence will have an impact on others,” he added.

Jefferey Jones, representing Kift, told the court his client regretted his involvement, and stressed that he would not offend again.

“His parents are dumbfounded by his actions” he added.

Speaking in mitigation of Lewis, H. Hughes told the court this was a “tragic case” of a young man who got into debt with his drug dealers and turned to dealing himself to work off that debt.

“He accepts 100 per cent responsibility for his own actions,” added Mr Hughes.

Andrew Jones, representing Myerscough, told the court his defendant knew he would get a long prison terms, but added this was a man who had proven he could live and offence free life.

Owen Williams, defending Williams, told the court his client had previously served in Iraq with the army, and had never fully recovered from his experiences there.

“The realisation that he will serve a long sentence has focussed his mind as to how stupidly he has behaved,” Mr Williams told the court.

Sentencing the defendants to a combined total of 41 years and six months, Judge Williams said: “I’m sorry that your punishment effectively punishes those who love you, some of whom are in court today.

“Only a sentence of immediate custody can be justified for this offending.”

As they were led away from court, the defendants all waved and said goodbye to a packed out public gallery.

After the sentencing hearing, a spokesman for Gwent Police said: “Their convictions followed a proactive investigation by Gwent Police's Force Crime Team that identified the defendants having a key role in supplying many kilos of high purity cocaine throughout the Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent valleys.

“This organised crime group conducted their criminality to make a substantial financial gain for themselves, and a Proceeds of Crime hearing will follow these convictions.

“Gwent Police will continue to pursue any offenders taking part in organised crime, both overtly and covertly, and would urge anyone with information about criminal activity like this to contact us – anonymously if they wish – on 101.”

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