### Couple’s Covert Operations as Class A Drug Dealers Uncovered in Merthyr Tydfil
A seemingly ordinary couple were revealed as central figures in a heroin and cocaine supply operation after police conducted a dramatic raid on an industrial estate in Merthyr Tydfil. The investigation brought to light the extent of their involvement, with drugs and equipment discovered at a unit as their children looked on.
Curtis Price, aged 29, and Sarah Price, 25, both from Tremgarth in Trecynon, Aberdare, were first noticed by police acting suspiciously as they drove a black BMW at speed into the Abercanaid Industrial Estate on 15 May. Officers observed the couple entering a locked unit, where they stayed for an extended period, raising concerns about illegal activity.
When police intervened, Curtis Price attempted to evade questioning, locking himself in his car. Officers managed to detain him, but were alerted to shouting from within the unit itself. Inside, they found Sarah Price, surrounded by evidence of drug preparation and storage. The discovery began a comprehensive search which ultimately dismantled the couple’s illicit enterprise.
The search yielded significant quantities of class A drugs. Prosecutors presented the court with a detailed inventory: 133 grams of cocaine valued at up to £7,000, 3.32 grams of heroin worth £345, and 67.88 grams of crack cocaine with an estimated street value of £7,000. Snap bags containing multiple wraps of crack and heroin deals were also found, along with four bags of cocaine and a substantial sum of cash totalling £350.
In addition to the drugs and cash, police also seized a cache of drug production paraphernalia. Items included weighing scales, Tupperware, a Pyrex jug, bicarbonate of soda, bottles of ammonia and respirators—not to mention makeshift weapons in the form of two large knives hidden inside a sports bag. These findings provided stark evidence of drug processing, packaging, and distribution taking place at the site.
A look into the couple’s mobile phones revealed incriminating messages and communications, clearly indicating Curtis Price’s active role in sourcing and supplying class A substances. His wife, Sarah, was also implicated in assisting with packaging and deliveries, although the court heard that her awareness and involvement were not on the same scale as her husband’s. She was described as having a limited understanding of the wider criminal network.
At Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, both Curtis and Sarah Price admitted to three counts of being concerned with the supply of class A narcotics, as well as possession of criminal property—this latter charge connected to vehicles stored at their unit. The pair’s prosecution highlights how seemingly regular family life can mask far more serious criminal undertakings.
Curtis Price was described in mitigation as a man beset by pressures after losing his job, with his counsel citing mental health challenges and a misguided wish to provide for his family as influencing his choices. Meanwhile, Sarah Price’s defence maintained her client’s activity stemmed from naivety and lack of influence, noting she had previously lived within the law.
Handing down the sentences, Judge Richard Kember acknowledged both defendants’ roles in the operation while distinguishing between their levels of participation. Curtis Price was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, with Sarah Price handed a three-year custodial term. The court proceedings served as a reminder of the serious consequences facing those who become entangled in the drugs trade, regardless of their motivations or circumstances.
Cases such as this underscore the impact of drug crime on local communities and the lengths some individuals will go to in maintaining a facade of normalcy. For residents of Merthyr Tydfil and neighbouring areas, this case reinforces the commitment of local law enforcement to tackling drug-related offences, and the importance of vigilance in identifying suspicious activity.
The arrest of Curtis and Sarah Price not only removes a damaging supply chain from the area but also serves as a cautionary tale about the far-reaching repercussions of drug offences, especially when children and family life are drawn into the mix.