**Crime Gang Responsible for £400,000 Drug Operation in South Wales Jailed for 31 Years**
A notorious drugs gang responsible for flooding parts of South Wales with illegal substances has been sentenced to a combined 31 years in prison, following an extensive police investigation which uncovered a £400,000 stash of cocaine. The group, whose activities spread misery across communities, were brought to justice after a major operation led by Gwent Police.
The gang’s central figures—Ryan Sage, 29, from Cardiff, and Devon Williams, 26, from Risca—were identified as the leaders orchestrating the widespread distribution of Class A and B substances. Their criminal enterprise, based around the Newport area, saw the supply of cocaine, crack cocaine, and cannabis across multiple locations, notably targeting the communities of Risca, Rogerstone, and Newport at all hours.
Police efforts culminated in September last year, when coordinated raids were carried out at addresses in Newport, Risca, Crosskeys, and Cardiff. These searches, conducted as part of the force’s Operation Dagger, yielded almost 4 kilograms of high-purity cocaine—valued at approximately £400,000—alongside £25,000 in cash, quantities of cannabis, and a vehicle believed to have been used in the operation.
At Cardiff Crown Court, it was heard that Sage and Williams managed several dedicated drugs lines, overseeing the movement and sale of illicit substances via a well-organised network. Three other men—Corey Hughes, 26, and Presley Power, 22, of Newport, along with Dominic Drinkwater, 20, of Risca—were also found to be integral parts of the group, acting as suppliers and couriers.
All five pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cocaine, crack cocaine, and cannabis. The court imposed the following sentences: Ryan Sage received nine years and eight months; Devon Williams was jailed for eight years and two months; Corey Hughes was sentenced to five years and seven months; Dominic Drinkwater received four years and ten months; and Presley Power was handed a two years and nine months sentence.
During sentencing, the judge emphasised the substantial harm caused by the group’s activities, highlighting not only the value of the drugs recovered but also the wider impact on local communities and vulnerable individuals exploited by drug dealers. The severity of their offences was reflected in the lengthy jail terms passed down.
Detective Constable Jasmin Power, who played a pivotal role in the investigation, publicly thanked all the officers involved in Operation Dagger, describing it as a “lengthy and thorough investigation, which uncovered a wealth of evidence”. She further acknowledged the vital contribution of Rogerstone residents, noting that information provided by local people directly aided law enforcement in dismantling the drugs network.
“This organised crime group caused havoc while they supplied illegal drugs to customers between Risca and Rogerstone during all hours of the day and night,” DC Power commented. She went on to underscore the profound, lasting effects of drug crime, stating, “Illegal drugs fill our communities with misery, suffering, and fear, and those who prey upon the vulnerable in our society, like these five criminals, are driven by profits—they do not care about the pain they cause.”
DC Power reiterated the crucial role of the public in combating organised crime, appealing for anyone with information about suspected drug activity to report it. “The public have an important role to play in providing information that can assist us in dismantling county lines drugs lines and safeguarding vulnerable individuals,” she concluded.
This case shines a stark light on the persistent issue of drugs supply across South Wales and demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement, with community support, to tackling organised crime. The hope remains that the lengthy sentences will send a deterrent message to others hoping to profit from the suffering of others.