Five due in court as ‘Operation Vermont’ continues to tackle large-scale drug supply blighting South Wales

FIVE more people are due in court today as part of Operation Vermont, a regional investigation to tackle large-scale drug supply.

Following a third phase of arrest warrants in Cardiff, Haverfordwest and Merseyside on Wednesday (January 6) the following have been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs:

· Michaela Hayes, 33, from Halewood, Knowsley;

· Elliot Hayes, 20, from Halewood, Knowsley;

· Grant Cummings, 25, from Llanrumney, Cardiff;

· Michael Reilly, 25, from Ely, Cardiff;

· Joseph McDarby, 18, from Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.

The five are the latest to be charged as part of the investigation by Tarian, the regional organised crime unit for southern Wales. The operation, which has so far seen 23 people charged with being part of the conspiracy, has been supported by a number of forces including South Wales, Dyfed Powys and Merseyside, as well as the National Crime Agency (NCA).

All but one of the remaining people charged have been remanded in custody pending further court proceedings.

Tarian are continuing to appeal for information to locate three further suspects.
Khalid Ali Ege, 43, Sajid Quasin, 49, and Ashraf Ahmed, 26, all from Cardiff, are wanted in connection with the conspiracy.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to contact 101, quoting occurrence 2000006050.
Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contact 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.