A Newport family who enjoyed a life of luxury have been unmasked as the operators of an illegal drugs enterprise that they ran from the confines of their attic, Cardiff Crown Court has heard. The Tunstall family, made up of siblings Brandon and Alex, along with their parents Debbie and Darren, found themselves facing multiple charges of involvement in the production and supply of both cannabis and cocaine following a lengthy investigation by South Wales Police.
The family’s seemingly comfortable lifestyle attracted attention after police stopped a grey Volkswagen Tiguan driven by Brandon and Alex Tunstall on 24 November 2022. During a routine search, officers discovered Brandon, 30, carrying over £3,000 in cash, while his brother Alex, 29, had several hundred pounds on his person. Further examination of the vehicle revealed almost £35,000 concealed in a carrier bag under the passenger seat, another £1,000 in the centre console, and over 400g of cannabis, worth more than £2,000, stashed in the boot.
Despite an initial claim from Alex Tunstall that the haul was the result of his work as a landscape gardener, HMRC records painted a different picture. Prosecutors outlined to the court that his legitimate declared income barely scratched the surface of the sums seized, sparking a comprehensive inquiry into the family’s affairs.
The subsequent police search at the family’s home on Newport Road in Old St Mellons revealed the extent of their operation. The property showcased a level of opulence uncommon in the area, including a high-spec modern kitchen and bathroom, distinctive built-in fish tank, two outbuildings, and two Mercedes cars parked in the driveway. However, it was the converted loft that held the real story: officers found 32 mature cannabis plants under professional-grade lighting, surrounded by various paraphernalia including weighing scales, growing charts, and calendars helmed by the Tunstall siblings.
Digital evidence proved pivotal for investigators. Messages recovered from Brandon’s mobile phone showed him instructing his parents to look after the cannabis plants in his absence and discussing operational details, sales, and logistics with his brother. In addition, Brandon’s phone evidenced involvement in the trafficking of Class A drugs, specifically cocaine, during the years 2019 to 2021.
The court also heard of the previous convictions related to the defendants: Alex, already subject to a suspended sentence at the time of arrest, had five prior driving offences, while Brandon’s record included an environmental regulatory breach. Darren Tunstall, 57, had never been in trouble with law enforcement before, while Debbie, 60, had a handful of convictions dating back more than two decades.
Defence solicitors were keen to point out the passage of time between the arrests and sentencing, highlighting the significant toll exacted upon the family by the process. They contended that Alex’s involvement was solely motivated by a desire to financially support his young family during the challenging lockdown period caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Further mitigation stressed Darren’s reputation as a diligent worker of good character, and Debbie’s duties as the primary carer for her elderly mother.
Sentencing reflected varying degrees of culpability. Brandon Tunstall received a three-and-a-half-year custodial sentence for his leadership role in supplying Class A drugs and cannabis. Alex Tunstall’s lesser involvement saw him handed a 10-month sentence, suspended for 21 months. The parents also admitted to producing cannabis. Debbie Tunstall, described by the judge as having largely “turned a blind eye” to the drugs operation without direct financial benefit, was dealt an 18-month community order alongside targeted rehabilitation. Darren Tunstall was required to complete 80 hours of unpaid work within a year as part of a 12-month community order.
Addressing the court, Judge Richard Kember spoke of the seriousness of the offences committed collectively by the family, noting the contrast between their outward respectability and the “burgeoning criminal enterprise” they harboured. Financial penalties and potential confiscation of illicit gains will be determined at a proceeds of crime hearing scheduled for November.
The case presents a stark reminder of how the pursuit of quick wealth can prompt even apparently stable families to cross into the realm of organised crime. For police and community leaders, the Tunstall family’s rise and fall stands as a cautionary tale amid ongoing efforts to crack down on the illegal drugs trade in South Wales.