Members of an organised crime group have been jailed for the large-scale supply of cocaine and cannabis across North Wales.
The seven gang members appeared at Mold Crown Court on 20 July for sentencing.
An eighth member was previously sentenced on 9 June.
Cumulatively, they were jailed for a combined total of 28 years.
A series of arrests were made in November and December 2025 following a detailed investigation into an organised crime group operating in the Gwynedd and Anglesey areas.
Assigned the name ‘Operation Macondo’, the long-running investigation was undertaken over an eight-month period.
On 10 November, a vehicle that had travelled from Anglesey to Merseyside was stopped. The vehicle was being driven by Joseph McCormick and searches inside uncovered £20,000 in cash.
On the same day, a warrant was conducted at Gareth Trevor Rowland’s address which resulted in £90,000 cash being recovered and £120,000 worth of criminally acquired luxury assets.
On 14 November, another vehicle was stopped in the Greater Manchester area which was being driven by Steve Powell.
A search of his vehicle uncovered a large amount of cannabis, 3kg in total worth approximately £28,000.
A further search of Powell’s address discovered 2kg of cocaine with a street value of us to £120,000.
On 9 December, a series of co-ordinated warrants took place across North Wales, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.
A total of 10 people were arrested during the targeted raids and a further £9,000 in cash was seized.
Overall, the investigation recovered significant quantities of Class A and B drugs, cash and high-value assets worth nearly £390,000.
The subsequent charges brought against the defendants related to a conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B Drugs between February and November 2025.
The sentences imposed were as follows:
- Gareth Trevor Rowlands, 52, of Trem Eryri, Llanfairpwll, was jailed for 11 years and three months for conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis and possession of criminal property.
- Steven Powell, 62, of Cromwell Street, Stockport, was jailed for 10 years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
- Darren Horton, 54, of Tyddyn Mostyn, Menai Bridge, was jailed for three years and seven months for conspiring to supply cocaine and cannabis.
- Steven Williams, 34, of Ffordd Ysgubor Goch, Caernarfon, was sentenced to three years and two months for conspiracy to supply cocaine.
- Joseph McCormick, 34, of Johnston Avenue, Bootle, was given a one-year suspended sentence for conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis, possession of MDMA and possession of criminal property.
- Craig Harris, 52, of Lon Dryll, Llanfairpwll, was sentenced to nine months suspended for 12 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis.
- Dennis Edwards, 22, of Marl Crescent, Llandudno Junction, who was sentenced on 9 June, was given two years and three months, suspended for three years, for conspiracy to supply cannabis and possession of criminal property.
- Dafydd Hughes, 31, of Port Terrace, Y Felinheli, was given a three-year suspended sentence for conspiring to supply cocaine.
Reflecting on the sentences imposed, Detective Chief Inspector Tracey Llewellyn said: “These individuals have been a burden on our communities for years and have caused an untold amount of harm to many vulnerable individuals.
“As well as the substantial sentences that were handed down, our investigation resulted in significant high-value drug seizures, which ensured that these illegal substances were taken off the streets.
“Illegal drugs have a hugely detrimental impact on communities, so cutting off supplies and removing those responsible for drug dealing from our communities is of huge importance to us.
“Partnership working has been central to our operational success, and we will continue to work proactively and relentlessly to identify, disrupt, and pursue those suspected of involvement in drug supply in our cities, towns and villages.
“As a force it remains our priority to fight, prevent and reduce organised crime that blights communities.
“We would urge anyone who has any information regarding drug dealing or other organised crimes taking place in their communities to come forward so we can get dangerous individuals off the street.”
