Drug plot ringleaders jailed for over 20 years

THE ringleaders of a drugs gang trying to bring cocaine and other substances to Denbighshire were yesterday jailed for a total more than 20 years.

- By DAVID POWELL Daily Post Reporter

Their accomplices got a range of suspended jail terms.Jake Thomas Kiernan, 33, of Clos Elwy, Towyn, Jamie John Steele, 33, of Bridge Street, Rhyl and Nicholas Reynolds, 54, of Clos David Owen, Rhuddlan, got terms totalling 21 years and nine months after a two-day sentencing hearing in Caernarfon Crown Court.

The court heard Jake Kiernan had been the leader and used his legitimate Fuel Bar smoothie and takeaway business in Rhyl to launder proceeds. Gang members had been involved in various offences involving cocaine, ketamine or cannabis.

Police had found about 1.3 kilograms of cocaine in accomplice Danielle Steele's home.

But a judge yesterday decided that prosecutors had not proven that "seven to ten" empty containers which had had a "white residue" in them had housed additional cocaine.

Such a claim was "in the realms of speculation", said Her Honour Nicola Jones.

She therefore rounded down the value of the cocaine involved in the conspiracy to £24,000 to £32,000, rather than the potential street value of £1,136,200 as suggested by the prosecution.

She said cannabis was worth £64,000 to £106,000. Ketamine was said yesterday to have been valued at £48,540.

The judge also said that Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings will be brought against the relevant defendants next year.

Defence counsel set out mitigation yesterday for most of the defendants in this case. Barristers explained the background for other offenders.

Charlie Thorley, 26, of Nant Hall Road, Prestatyn, began experimenting with cannabis aged 15, said barrister Duncan Bould.

He was using it daily by 18 perhaps to deal with his ADHD and potential autism. He is now cannabis free.

Jermaine Lewis's barrister Arron Payne said Lewis agreed with Jake Kiernan, who had separate cannabis grows, to set up cannabis production in a house to be let.

No cannabis was produced as the property was deemed unsuitable and Lewis withdrew his support.