���˿���

An organised crime group that flooded a town with drugs worth more than £400,000 have been sentenced.

Swansea Crown Court heard that the gang set up "front" businesses including car washes and a barber's shop in an attempt to hide their criminal enterprise in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion.

All the defendants previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply drugs or had been convicted at trial.

Toana Ahmad, aged 33, of Lee Gardens, Smethwick, West Midlands, received the longest prison sentence of 12 years.

The court heard the gang's leaders were sending recruits from around the UK to deal cocaine and cannabis in Aberystwyth.

Ian Wright, prosecuting, said the gang ran a "sophisticated, well-organised and evolving operation."

The court heard the operation was run by 33-year-old Ahmad along with two men identified by police but currently on the run.

The gang was eventually dismantled following a major investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police codenamed Operation Burleigh.

The court heard significant quantities of cocaine and cannabis were seized along with cash and weapons including knives, an axe, and air weapons.

It also heard the axe was found casually hanging on a coat hook in the hallway of one of the gang's safe houses.

Judge Geraint Walters described Class A drugs as a "blight" on the seaside and university community of Aberystwyth.

He added each of the defendants had "actively and enthusiastically" played their different parts in the conspiracy.

Barzan Sarhan, 31, and Ahmed Piro, 26, both of no fixed abode, and also convicted at trial, were each sentenced to four years in prison.

Karwan Karim, 39 of Griffith John Street, Dyfatty, Swansea pleaded guilty on the third day of his trial, however received no discount for his plea and was also sentenced to four years.

Walid Younis Abdal, 34, of St Anne’s Road, Doncaster, Daban Khalil, 23, of Streetly Road, Erdington, Birmingham, and Kastro Omar, 30, of Junction Road, Northampton, all pleaded guilty and were each sentenced to three years in prison.

Muhammed Hamasharif, 27, of no fixed abode and Saman Aziz, 41, of Kirk Road, Liverpool, also pleaded guilty and each were sentenced to three years in prison.

Luqman Jarjis, 21, of Wake Green Road, Birmingham, pleaded guilty and received four years and three months in prison while Adel Mustafa, 39, of Hubert Road, Newport was sentenced to three years and four months.

Akasha Smith, 24, of Third Avenue, Aberystwyth, who also pleaded guilty was sentenced to two-and-a-half years.

Charlotte Roberts, 21, of Sutton Hill, Telford, Shropshire, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete a rehabilitation course.