A PAIR of Flintshire brothers have been put behind bars for their involvement in a large scale drugs conspiracy.
Caernarfon Crown Court heard on Tuesday how a "network of distinctive but linked organised crime groups" across Merseyside and North Wales combined to become a "formidable drugs consortium."
Based on the substances seized and communications analysed, drugs experts at North Wales Police estimated that a year's worth of drug supply at the scale the gang was operating on could have netted them up to £6million or more.
The Flintshire side of the operation was run by 26-year-old Thomas Davies, of Glan y Don in Holywell - whose 47-year-old mother Dawn Davies was jailed on Tuesday for her involvement.
On Wednesday, the second day of the sentencing, Thomas Davies was in the dock - as was his 22-year-old brother Liam Davies, of Nant y Coed in Holywell.
The court heard even while he spent months in HMP Berwyn during the conspiracy, Thomas Davies managed to maintain control over the enterprise and directed others to act on his behalf.
Those he directed included his younger brother who, as well as others, arranged for drugs to be smuggled into the prison "secreted" in the body of an incoming prisoner.
Nicholas Williams, defending Liam Davies, said the defendant had been "drawn in by circumstance" and that he had been "susceptible to sibling pressure, of not expectation, to help out."
His client's involvement with the conspiracy was limited to a matter of weeks, he added, and his role was "limited."
Mark Connor, defending Thomas Davies, conceded the conspiracy had been conducted over a significant period of time.
He explained his client, a dad-of-three wishes to "start afresh" once he has served his time in order to "show a good example to his children."
Mr Connor added: "When he is released he wants to make use of any skills he has learned in custody, get a decent job and make an honest living."
Judge Timothy Petts handed Thomas Davies a custodial sentence of 11 years and eight months for his part in the conspiracy, and for the same offences he handed the younger brother a jail term of six years and nine months.
READ MORE: Day one of the gang's sentencing at Caernarfon Crown Court
Charlie McEvilly, aged 24 and of Maes Pennant in Mostyn, was a street dealer whose activities were confined to Holywell, the court heard.
Philip Tully, defending, said the defendant accepted the only appropriate sentence for his offences - being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis.
His involvement was limited to the early summer of 2020, when he was using cocaine, he added.
Mr Tully conceded that his clients actions also put him in breach of a suspended sentence imposed in 2020 for "wholly different" offences.
Judge Petts handed down a sentence of two years and nine months, adding a consecutive six months for the breached suspended sentence.
Peter Beecham, aged 38 and of St Bride's Road in Egremont, Wirral, appeared to be sentenced for his "one-off" involvement in the operation.
Robin Boag, defending Beecham, emphasised that his client had acted as a courier on one date only, which led to his charge of conspiring to supply cocaine in April 2020.
Beecham had put the matter behind him but police came looking for him a year later - at which point he handed himself in.
Mr Boag said he'd "foolishly" allowed himself to become involved in transporting and exchanging money for cash.
Judge Petts handed down a sentence of five years and three months.
Dayle Owens, aged 31 and of New Brighton Road in Bagillt, had been a street dealer.
But Simon Mintz, defending Owens said his client had been "well down the pecking order" and had been "chasing drug users for small drug debts."
He'd been supplying drugs on a "retail rather than a wholesale basis," he added.
Mr Mintz added: "He has a genuine desire and intent to put his criminal past behind him and go on to lead a more productive and law abiding life."
Judge Petts handed down an eight year jail sentence for Owens.
Michael Munnelly, aged 40 and of Pant y Wacco in Lloc, is the nephew of Dawn Davies.
The court heard he had worked all his life as a bricklayer but became involved in the use of cocaine - accruing increasing debts.
He found himself getting involved in an "operational management" function in the conspiracy when his bricklaying business came to a halt due to covid-19 restrictions imposed by the UK Government.
Suzanne Payne, defending Munnelly, said her client was not on the same level as others involved in the operation, describing his part as "limited."
She added her client is taking steps in custody to address his drug addiction.
Judge Petts jailed Munnelly for eight years the three months.
One further defendant is to be sentenced for their part in the operation at a later date.
At the conclusion of Wednesday's sentencing hearing, Judge Petts said:
"Now is an appropriate time for me to record my thanks to all those involved in the detection and prosecution of this case - both in Liverpool and North Wales.
"This was clearly a very large operation that has been disrupted and has led to long prison sentences for many people."
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