Drugs: North Wales £700,000 heroin and cocaine gang jailed

Eighteen people were sentenced and a warrant issued for a another defendant

Eighteen people have been sentenced for their part in one of north Wales' largest drug conspiracies.

The gang brought more than £700,000 worth of heroin and cocaine from Merseyside to Wrexham.

The longest sentence handed down by Judge Nicola Saffman at Caernarfon Crown Court was 11 years and three months for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

In total, 13 men and five women were sentenced in a two-day hearing.

Also, a warrant was issued for Matthew Philip Royce, 31, of Tryweryn Place, Wrexham, who failed to appear in court after being bailed following his conviction for his involvement with an organised crime group.

• Eight arrested in police drugs raid

Sentencing Sean Skimmings, 31, to six years and nine months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, Judge Saffman said he played a "significant role".

Police targeted eight homes around the Wrexham area

Stacey Martin, 27, who was given a suspended sentence after her Wrexham home was used by the gang, was told by Judge Saffman: "You lived at the property at the centre of the investigation and allowed the premises to be used for the sale and supply of drugs turning a blind eye to what was going on around you."

The judge told Nigel Rowley, 45, who was jailed for more than seven years, that he was a "prolific" street dealer.

The Crown Prosecution Service's Nicola Rees said: "Drugs destroy lives and are a blight on the community.

"The CPS worked closely with the police in building a strong case resulting in these convictions, disrupting one of the largest drugs conspiracies in north Wales."

Who was part of this drug gang and what were their sentences?

For two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs:

• Ben William Brown, 32, of East Avenue, Wrexham, was sentenced to 11 years and three months

• Todd Connor Brown, 26, of Hazel Grove, Wrexham, was sentenced to 11 years and three months

• Jake Luke Rowley, 25, of Bryn Offa, Wrexham, was sentenced to 11 years and three months

• Francis David Delplacido, 30, of Grango Lane, Wrexham, was sentenced to eight years and three months

• Zoe Platt, 29, of Grango Lane, Wrexham, was sentenced to nine years

• Tia Platt, 22, of Gwenfro, Wrexham, was sentenced to six years and nine months

• Sean Skimmings, 31, of Hoole Road, Chester, was sentenced to six years and nine months

• Bradley Sandford, 25, of Glan Gors, Wrexham, was sentenced to six years and three months

• Lewis Paul Morris, 20, of Y Wern, Wrexham, was sentenced to six years in a young offenders institution

• Aaron Martin, 31, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to six years and nine months

• Nathan Gordon Thomas, 26, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to six years and nine months

• Samantha Pemberton, 35, of Y Wern, Wrexham, was sentenced to eight years

• Kim Michelle Williams, 48, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to eight years and three months

• James William Royce, 30, of Portal Avenue, Wrexham was sentenced to six years, nine months

• Nigel Rowley, 45, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to seven years and two months

For one charge of conspiracy to supply class A drugs:

• Levi Rowlands, 21, of Gwenfro, Wrexham was sentenced to seven years. He will serve a further 18 months for possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs while in custody

For their involvement with the activities of an organised crime group:

• Lewis Davies, 23, of Queens Street, Wrexham, was sentenced to two years, suspended for two years

• Stacey Martin, 27, of Gwenfro, Wrexham, was sentenced to two years, suspended for two years