POLICE chiefs involved in the success of Operation Regent says the sentencing shows that the supply of illegal drugs to Powys 'will not be tolerated'.

Supt Jon Cummins said: “This is a fantastic result for Dyfed-Powys Police, in particular our Serious and Organised Crime Team, which has worked tirelessly to dismantle the organised crime group (OCG) that was operating in Llandrindod Wells and Newtown. But most importantly, this is good news for the communities affected by this activity happening in their residential areas.

“We knew there was a problem with OCGs from elsewhere in the UK travelling to our communities to supply Class A drugs in Powys. Our action to disrupt supply should clearly demonstrate to travelling criminals that this will not be tolerated in Powys. We may be a rural community but we are a community that works closely with our residents and partners to gather and respond to their concerns and information.”

The operation reached the stage of executing warrants in August 2018, starting in Llandrindod Wells.

During one of the arrests, residents lined the street and clapped as the suspect was taken away by police.

A key part of the strategy and investigation was recognition of the complexity of the scenario. Some suspects were potentially victims that may be dependent on drugs.

Police included drug treatment agencies in this part of the operation to make sure those people were offered support and advice to help them turn their lives around, if they were willing to take the help on offer.

Det Insp Gareth Grant, head of Dyfed-Powys Police’s Serious Organised Crime Team, said: "A number of these individuals have been heavily involved in the supply and organisation of Class A controlled drugs in the Powys and Merseyside area for a number of years, and their removal from society will greatly benefit the community.

“The success of the Operation can be attributed to the close partnership working of a number of policing departments in addition to external organisations. Between our operation and Merseyside operation, a significant organise crime gang has been destroyed, with significant seizures along the way.”