How a Flintshire drugs network was brought down
Eight members of an organised crime group involved in the large-scale supply of Class A and B drugs into Flintshire have been jailed.
The defendants appeared for sentencing at Mold Crown Court on Thursday, 22 January, following a lengthy investigation by North Wales Police.
Collectively, the custodial sentences handed down total more than 47 years.
The convictions followed a protracted investigation by the force’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, known as Operation Zero, which focused on criminal activity taking place between December 2022 and November 2023.
Officers gathered extensive intelligence during that period, examining the day-to-day activities and lifestyles of those involved in the network.
Lee Rigby, 42, of Station Road, Sandycroft, was identified as the head of the operation.
Police said he sourced kilogram quantities of cocaine, ketamine and cannabis from upstream suppliers and organised their distribution on a commercial scale.
Rigby was assisted by Mark Poh, 42, who lived with him at the same address.
Poh was responsible for weighing and packaging the drugs before they were distributed locally through trusted downstream suppliers.
He was also observed attending meetings with upstream suppliers and handing over cash for drugs.
Daniel Carroll, 33, of Engfield Avenue, Connah’s Quay, Rigby’s half-brother, was found to have funded the operation by providing cash to purchase drugs in return for profit.
Police said he also collected money on behalf of others and used his home to store cash.
Rigby’s son, Wesley Rigby, 21, of Maes Glyndwr, Treuddyn, and Frank Jones, 35, of Cornist Lane, Flint, were identified as two of the main downstream suppliers.
Jack Harpur, 31, of Sandy Lane, Broughton, had a varying role within the conspiracy, primarily storing cash at his home and supplying smaller amounts of drugs for Poh.
At an earlier hearing on 12 May 2025, Katie Williams, 35, of Deva Avenue, Connah’s Quay, Claire Clegg, 43, of Chevrons Road, Shotton, and Jessica Lett, 38, also of Chevrons Road, Shotton, were sentenced for their roles in assisting the gang.
Williams and Clegg were sentenced for storing money on behalf of the group, while Lett was sentenced for supplying cocaine and cannabis.
All three received 12-month community orders, with a requirement to complete 15 days of rehabilitation activity.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Richard Sidney said:
“Drugs ruin lives, blight communities, and bring misery to users and their families.
“This investigation has dismantled an established supply network within Flintshire and that is testament to the diligent police work and specialist skills of a large team of officers working within our Serious and Organised Crime team.
“Today’s outcome should act as a strong deterrent to anyone involved in drug supply, and a reminder that that we will continue to take decisive action to dismantle organised crime and associated criminal networks.
“Tackling drug supply will remain a priority for North Wales Police, but we cannot do this without the continued assistance of our communities.
“If you have information on the supply of drugs in your area, please get in touch, or report it anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers so we can take action.”
Defendants and their charges:
- Lee Rigby, 42, of Sandycroft – 16 years and three months for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs
- Mark Poh, 42, of Sandycroft – 14 years for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs
- Adam Hill, 39, of Hawarden – Five years and eight months for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs
- Frank Jones, 35, of Flint – Five years and ten months for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs
- Stephen Lowe, 32, of Flint – Five years and ten months for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs
- Wesley Rigby, 21, of Treuddyn – Two years, suspended for two years, for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs
- Daniel Carroll, 33, of Connah’s Quay – Six months, suspended for two years, for transferring criminal property
- Jack Harpur, 31, of Broughton – Two years, suspended, for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs
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