Seven sent to prison following Tarian investigation

Seven men have been sent to prison for a total of more than 58 years after being convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine.

The men, six from Swansea and one from Coventry, were arrested following an operation by Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales into the supply and distribution of Class A controlled drugs and the laundering of the proceeds of that criminality into and throughout the South Wales region by a Swansea based Organised Crime Group (OCG).

During the course of the investigation, which began in October 2022, evidence was obtained that several members the OCG were involved in a conspiracy to supply cocaine, possession of firearms and ammunition and money laundering offences.

The investigation was based on evidence which identified that brothers Ryan Morgan, 32, and Leon Morgan, 27, who had no obvious legitimate forms of employment to maintain their lifestyles, controlled an OCG from the Swansea area, which was involved in the supply and distribution of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine across the area, having sourced their drugs from the West Midlands.

The OCG was in contact with other criminal groups from the Midlands and was noted as travelling to those locations as well as reciprocal journeys for meetings in the Swansea area.

The group used a series of "safe properties" where controlled drugs were stored, prepared and adulterated prior to onward distribution by the group, including the storage of other items used and obtained such as firearms and cash. Each of these premises were only used for a short period of time in order to try to avoid detection.

On July 13, 2023, Nicky Davies, 35, was arrested in the Swansea area while in possession of seven kilograms of cocaine. He had travelled from Swansea to Coventry where he met co-defendant Gino Shergill.

While there, Davies loaded a car onto recovery vehicle before travelling back to South Wales.

South Wales Police traffic officers subsequently stopped the recovery vehicle in Bonymaen, Swansea.

Prior to Davies’ departure from Swansea there was a series of communications between Leon Morgan, Ryan Morgan, Nicky Davies and Kenny Peters, 44, clearly orchestrating the collection of the seven kilos of cocaine that day.

On November 13, 2023, a warrant was executed at a garage in Brynmill, Swansea where Class A drugs in deals, drug paraphernalia, a hydraulic press and a blender used to prepare and adulterate Class A controlled drugs were located and seized along with a sawn-off shotgun and a bag of ammunition.

On December 6, 2023, Ryan Morgan was arrested after ramming a police vehicle in a Range Rover in the Hafod area of Swansea while trying to avoid arrest and was subsequently arrested along with the other members of the OCG.

During the course of the investigation more than eight kilograms of high purity (85%) cocaine with an estimated street value of £500,000, 18 kilos of Benzocaine (cutting agent), a hydraulic press and drug paraphernalia were recovered.

Detective Inspector Vinnie Easton of Tarian said:

“We welcome the sentences given to these men for their roles in selling very significant amounts of Class A drugs in south Wales.

“This thorough investigation uncovered a major drug conspiracy and is a great example of the detailed work carried out to combat organised crime of this nature.

"Illegal drugs have no place in our society, and the offenders in this operation were part of an organised criminal gang who brought harm and misery to our neighbourhoods through the supply of drugs.

“We urge anyone across southern Wales who has information about drug dealing in their communities to contact their local police force or the independent Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

The seven members of the OCG appeared before Swansea Crown Court on December 19, 2024.

They were sentenced as follows:

• Ryan Morgan, 32, from Penlan, Swansea: 16 years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine), 2 years money laundering, 18 months dangerous driving to run concurrent and disqualification from driving 
• Leon Morgan, 27, from Penllergaer, Swansea: 10 years conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine), 18 months money laundering
• Thomas Saunders, 23, from Gorseinon: 7 years 10 months
• Jack Tomkins. 24, from Clase, Swansea: 7 years 1 month
• Kenny Peters, 44, from Swansea: 6 years 6 months
• Nicky Davies, 35, from Ravenhill, Swansea: 5 years 2 months
• Gino Shergill, 32, from Coventry: 5 years 10 months

All were convicted of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine).