Defendant 'quacked' as police bust drugs gang

An organised crime group was sourcing large quantities of cannabis - including from the US - and distributing it across West Wales, a court has heard.

- JASON EVANS

The gang laundered tens of thousands of pounds of profit through online cryptocurrencies as well as banking huge sums of cash. Police also recovered a kilo bar of silver during their investigation.

The three people at the top of the gang have been jailed for their involvement in the criminal enterprise. One “quacked like a duck” when asked questions at police interview.

Craig Jones, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court that at the head of the operation was 38-year-old Daniel Drabble who sourced large quantities of cannabis from the US and Britain and then “directed, organised and participated in” the distribution of the drug across west Wales.

The court heard that in the summer of 2022 a package from the US which was destined for an address in Ceredigion was intercepted by customs officers. The declaration form listed the parcel as containing a mixed martial arts helmet but in reality it contained 32 packages of cannabis.

The court that a number of phones along with cash and a one-kilo silver bar were seized from Drabble’s home.

The defendant refused to reveal the PINs for the phones but when officers were eventually able to gain access they found messages which showed the extent of the operation and the involvement of others including, but not limited to, the co-defendants.