FOUR members of a Newport organised crime group, responsible for supplying crack cocaine and heroin, have received a combined total more than 19 years in prison.
Bradley Verren, 24, Lucien Rousselle, 50, and Matthew Ahern, 45, all admitted conspiring to supply class A drugs at Newport Crown Court on Friday 13 December.
Luke Montgomery, 22, admitted possession of heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply.
Verren also pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, dangerous driving and driving without a licence and insurance.
Significant amounts of drugs, with a street value of around £65,000 and including 1.5kg of heroin, were recovered by the serious and organised crime team as part of Operation Grandale.
Over the course of the investigation, which started in July of last year, officers identified that Verren ran a drugs line devoted to the supply of crack cocaine and heroin in Newport.
Officers seized a mobile phone that contained incriminating footage of Verren, Rousselle and Ahern involved in the supply of drugs.
DCI Matthew Edwards said: “It is people like these four defendants who prey upon the vulnerable in our society and flood our towns and cities with drugs, spreading misery and desperation as they go.
“For these four men, that stops now after the meticulous work of our officers to uncover a treasure trove of evidence to bring them all to justice.
“We want to work with our communities to show people that it is all of us against them and we welcome any information which can help bring people like this quartet of criminals before the courts.”
Verren was jailed for a term of seven years and two months, while Rousselle received a six-year prison sentence.
Ahern and Montgomery were given terms of three years and four months and three years respectively.
If you have any concerns or information about illegal drug supply or dealing in your community, please report it to us via the website, by calling 101 or sending us a direct message on social media, so that we can act.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, with information or visit their website crimestoppers.org.uk.
