Final three members of county lines drug gang jailed

Three men from Swansea, who were part of a county lines criminal gang which sold illegal drugs, have been jailed today for a total of 39 years and 3 months after a 15 month long investigation.

Daniel Harris, aged 40 from Sketty was sentenced to 16 years, Leon Ley, aged 34, from Carmarthen Road in Swansea was sentenced to 11 years and three months and Dale Martin, aged 28, from Townhill was sentenced to 12 years.

The other members of the group have already been sentenced in connection to drug offences as part of Op Tilbury. Ainsley Wood, aged 29 from Hackney in London, to 15 years and 9 months; Nicholas Bailey, aged 36 from Sheerness in Kent, to 13 ½ years; Alex Shields, aged 37 from Takeley in Essex, to 8 ½ years; Zeina Raad, aged 40 from Clifton in Bristol, to 22 months, suspended for 2 years, and Jonathan Norris, aged 38 from Penlan to 9 years for robbery.

Detective Inspector Gareth Jones said:

“This was a particularly complex case and after a 15 month operation, it is great to see the final sentencing handed down by the courts. The sentencing of Harris, Ley and Martin brings this case to a very successful conclusion. We’re proud to have taken several thousand pounds worth of class A and B drugs off the streets of Swansea.

“Throughout we left no stone unturned in this Op Tilbury investigation. Shutting down this extremely well-organised group shows that South Wales Police’s detectives have the skills and determination to fight crime of any size or nature and I am immensely proud of all those involved in bringing this lengthy case to a very successful conclusion.

“The arrests occurred in the middle of the first national Coronavirus lockdown but we were determined to bring the gang to justice and cut off the drug supply by removing these dealers from the streets.

“I hope that these sentences provides reassurance to the communities of South Wales that these so called ‘untouchables’ are now off the street and we will continue to do all we can to make South Wales a safe place to live and visit. We will not stop pursuing those who come into South Wales to commit crime and will continue to do all we can to make our force area a hostile place for criminals.”