Operation Pigeon – Sentencing Of 10 Defendants
Officers from the Dyfed-Powys Police Serious and Organised Crime Team welcome the sentences handed down today by Judge Paul Thomas in respect to the ten individuals convicted for their part in a conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs, namely cocaine, into the Pembrokeshire area. The operation had been named, “Operation Pigeon”.
The operation centred on the illegal drug dealing activities of two Organised Crime Groups (OCG’s) within Pembrokeshire. The first headed by James Frederick Bolton operating within the Johnston / Haverfordwest area and the second headed by Leigh John Salter operating within the Milford Haven area. Mr Bolton and Mr Salter had sourced significant quantities of cocaine from a Liverpool OCG headed by Adam John Idris and had arranged its onward distribution at Pembrokeshire via a criminal network of associates. Later in the investigation it was identified that Leigh John Salter also sourced cocaine from a Swansea based individual.
The operation captured evidence between a significant period: from October 2012 to April 2015.
Police intercepted two seizures of cocaine during the course of the investigation totalling 1.2Kg.
Officers evidencedthe movement of in the region of £60,000 between Pembrokeshire and the Liverpool based crime group during the conspiracy period. Furthermore, in the region of £7,000 cash was also recovered by police.
Detective Chief Inspector Huw Davies, the Senior Investigating officer, said:
“Today’s sentences are pleasing and reflect the hard work and tenacity of the investigating team during a complex enquiry.
“The investigation evidences a commitment by Dyfed Powys police to provide appropriate resources to investigate and reduce the risk of drug related harm within our communities.
“The investigation disclosed that this crime group were responsible for the trafficking of
cocaine into the Pembrokeshire area.
“These were significant amounts of cocaine to be available within the small communities of Pembrokeshire and the investigation and enforcement is likely to have had a significant impact.
“The level of this investigation and sentencing should send a clear message to those intent on committing serious crime within our policing area that you will ultimately be frustrated and held responsible for your actions”
Convicted for Conspiracy to supply class “A” controlled drugs
- Adam John IDRIS (sentenced to 12 years)
- James Frederick BOLTON (Sentenced to 9.5 years)
- Leigh John SALTER (Sentenced to 5.4 years)
- Siobhan JACKSON (Sentenced to 5.4 years)
- Adam Mark WOODHOUSE (Sentenced to 6.8 years)
- Andrew John DAVIES (Sentenced to 4.4 years)
- David PARKER (Sentenced to 16 months suspended for 2 years, and 250 hours community service)
Convicted for Money laundering
- Richard CONROY (23/06/2016 – was handed a community order. 200 hours unpaid work.)
- Danielle MALONEY (Sentenced to 16 months suspended for 12 months (60 Day Rehabilitation Activity and 250 hours community service)
- John FOSTER (Sentenced to 2.5 years)
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