DRUGS DEALERS JAILED FOR 58 YEARS

A Total Of 100 Police Posed As Drugs Customers In The Operation

Twenty people arrested in a drugs crackdown in Swansea have been jailed for
a total of 58 years.

Operation Bhutan launched in January saw 100 police officers going
undercover to track down people selling Class A drugs in Swansea.

A further four people were given rehabilitation orders while three others
were said to be on the run.

Judge Keith Thomas took three days to sentence the two dozen who appeared
before him at Swansea Crown Court.

South Wales Police said the operation - aimed at countering the flow of
heroin, cocaine and ecstasy - was the biggest of its kind in south west Wales.

The court heard that one of the victims of the drugs trade in the city was
Rachel Ann Evans, 22, who was found dead at a flat in Llansamlet area.

Let this be a very clear message to the public and the community, but
especially to those who are intent on dealing in misery

DCI Stuart Anderson

Her death in May was the third within ten days in the city, prompting
police to warn that of a rogue batch of high-purity heroin was being
circulated in the area.

Ms Evans died from heroin supplied to her by Tracey Andrew, court heard.

Andrew was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

The longest sentence saw Steven Reeves, 38, from central Swansea, jailed
for four years and nine months.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Anderson, Head of Swansea CID, said after
the case: "I am personally proud to be part of this, the biggest drugs
operation ever to be run in Swansea."

DCI Stuart Anderson is "proud" of the operation's success

"We told the people of Swansea that we would not tolerate drug dealing and
organised crime and that we would make this city a very uncomfortable place
for those individuals who want to deal in this misery, and that is what
this operation is about.

"I welcome these sentences and let this be a very clear message to the
public and the community, but especially to those who are intent on dealing
in misery."

Judge Thomas praised what he called the "professionalism" of the police,
who used undercover officers posing as buyers and potential suppliers in
the operation.

The sentences were: Steven Reeves, 38, central Swansea, 4 years 9 months,
Marilyn Elizabeth John, 51, Blaenymaes, 4 years 6 months, Andrew Stanley
Jones, 34, Townhill, 4 years 6 months, Michael John Davies, 33, Townhill, 4
years 6 months, Paul White, 41, Llangyfelach, 4 years 6 months and Wayne
Andrew Davies, 27, Townhill, 4 years.

Sentences

Also jailed were: Anthony John Powell, 39, Morriston, 3 years 6 months,
Bryce William Bennet, 20, Townhill, 3 years 6 months, Darren Peter Hill,
33, Penlan, 3 years 6 months, Deborah Eleanor Bennett, 42, Townhill, 3
years 6 months, Ryan Woodman, 29, Morriston, 2 years 10 months, Lee James
Horton, 25, Sketty, 2 years 6 months and Tracey Andrew, 32, central
Swansea, 2 years 6 months.

The following were also jailed: Stephen Robert Otten, 30, Penlan, 18
months, Andrea Davies, 26, Portmead, 18 months, Ceri John Parry, 35,
Waunarlwydd, 18 months, Shamur Rahman, 34, central Swansea, 18 months,
Nicholas Davies, 27, central Swanea, 18 months, Mark John Otten, 32,
Penlan, 12 months Jason Samuel Delaney, 28, Townhill, 12 months.