Seventh man jailed in connection with Rhyl cocaine operation

Alan Williams, 48, of Forfar Road, Liverpool, was jailed for seven-a-half years at Mold Crown Court today (April 28).

Yesterday, six of his co-defendants were also jailed, for between three-and-half years and 11 years and four months, while a further two received suspended sentences.

From top left, clockwise: Paul Price, Ryan Hope, Philip Owens, Robert Thomas, Farrell Denton, Malcolm Griffiths; all of whom were jailed yesterday (April 27). (Image: North Wales Police)

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Drug dealers aimed to ‘flood the streets of Rhyl’ with cocaine from 2018-22

The court heard yesterday, from prosecutor Brian Treadwell, that a flat on Rhyl Coast Road, then Williams’ home address, was used as the main hub for the conspiracy between September 2018 and January 2022.

Williams was said to be among the “top-selling contacts” of Paul Price, 55, of Pendyffryn Road, Rhyl, who was “head of the organised crime group”, and was jailed for 11 years and four months.

Mr Treadwell told of how the operation ran between September 2018 and May 2022, but that Williams’ own involvement began to wane from about December 2021.

A “conservative” estimate provided by a drugs expert, Mr Treadwell said, found that the total amount of cocaine supplied throughout the entire operation would have roughly amounted to a weight of 21kg, and a street value of potentially £4million.

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Williams had 13 previous convictions for 27 offences, albeit none of which were drugs-related matters.

His last conviction was in December 2020 for threatening behaviour and for failing to provide a sample to police.

Defending, Jason Smith said Williams had shown himself to be an “exemplary employee”, and labelled his involvement in this operation an “aberration”.

He was said to have voluntarily removed himself from the operation as he wanted to earn “honest money”, and is “genuinely remorseful” for his involvement.

Mr Smith said: “It is sad, very sad indeed, to see a man approaching 50 about to receive a substantial period of imprisonment.

“It is to his credit that he has had the courage to own up to this.

“He was so ashamed of what he was involved in that, at the first opportunity he had, he removed himself from it, went to Merseyside, found a job, and has kept working.

“This man has carried on working, and working hard. It shows a genuine work ethic, and makes it all the more disappointing knowing that he will spend his 50th birthday in a prison cell.”

Sentencing, Judge Niclas Parry asked Williams, as he did to two of his co-defendants yesterday, “What on earth were you thinking?”

Judge Parry told him: “You would have known the extent of the conspiracy, and would have expected significant gain.

“You have acted seriously out of character in committing such a serious offence.”

Yesterday, Judge Parry told all nine defendants: “Once again, communities in North Wales pay the price for the greed of conspirators sourcing drugs for those who undoubtedly profit in Liverpool.

“Those people have been assisted by the offenders; in this case, North Wales people who betrayed their community by making this business.

“The harm and misery caused by class A drugs has been recognised for many years.”

Detective Inspector Richard Sidney, of North Wales Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “This was a sophisticated and well-developed enterprise of criminal activity designed to flood the streets of Rhyl and beyond with illegal Class A drugs.

“This is a clear message to those that partake in the supply of drugs that you are not welcome in North Wales.”

Local Inspector Kevin Smith added: “We will continue to disrupt and dismantle County Lines and any other activities that threaten harm and misery to our residents.”