Mancot man among gang of 17 jailed after Operation Lardy cocaine network dismantled in Flintshire and Wrexham
A Mancot man has been jailed for nine years and two months as part of a north Wales drug gang whose 17 members were sentenced to a combined 128 years for conspiring to supply cocaine and cannabis across Flintshire and Wrexham.
Owen Wesley, 36, of Mancot Way, was among those convicted following Operation Lardy, a six-month covert investigation into Class A and Class B drug supply between April 2022 and September 2023.
Sentencing took place across multiple dates at Mold Crown Court and Caernarfon Crown Court between November 2024 and March 2026, with reporting restrictions lifted on Wednesday 11 March when proceedings concluded.
The investigation was carried out by North Wales Police working alongside the National Crime Agency and the Regional Organised Crime Unit.
In September 2023, officers executed coordinated warrants across more than 20 properties in Wrexham and Flintshire over three days, arresting 20 people including three detained at Manchester Airport.
Cocaine estimated to be worth more than £150,000 and cannabis with a street value exceeding £20,000 were seized, along with cash, weapons and mobile phones.
An estimated £550,000 had been laundered through suspects’ accounts as part of the conspiracy, North Wales Police said. Those assets have been seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The longest sentence was handed to Jason Carolan, 44, of Wern Las, Rhosllanerchrugog, who received 10 years for conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs.
Ellen Marie Davies, 42, of no fixed address, also received 10 years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Richard Rickards, 37, of Bodlyn, Acrefair, was sentenced to nine years and six months, and Ronnie Williams, 33, of Wern Las, Rhosllanerchrugog, received nine years and four months, both for conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs.
Wesley’s nine years and two months was for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Further sentences ranged from nine years down to four years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Samantha Harrill, 39, of Heol Y Plas, Cefn Mawr, received a three-year community order.
Four others received suspended sentences for their involvement in using third-party bank accounts to facilitate payments for controlled substances, or for handling criminal property.
DS Dave Evans of North Wales Police said: “This is an exceptional result, with the defendants sentenced to a combined 128 years in prison.
“An estimated £550,000 was also laundered through the accounts of suspects as part of this drug conspiracy, with these assets now seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
“Our communities should not have to live among drug dealers, and we are committed to ensuring that we identify, locate, and remove these offenders.”
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