Four Cardiff men have been jailed for drug offences after being caught by the South Wales Police Serious Organised Crime (SOC) team.
Connor Preece, 26, of Tremorfa, George Payne, 27, of Riverside, Shay Eedy, 24, of Atlantic Wharf, and Kai Phillips, 22, of Roath, were all jailed following a sentencing on September 18 at Cardiff Crown Court.
The group were caught after Payne was witnessed by Cardiff and Vale’s SOC team appearing to engage in a suspected drug deal on February 25, 2026. While he was arrested, a BMW was spotted driving away at speed.
Officers searched the flat Payne had been inside prior to the suspected drug deal, and Preece was found inside with a loaded firearm containing 11 live cartridges, as well as drugs later confirmed to be a kilo of cocaine and half a kilo of heroin. Preece was also arrested.
After further investigation and CCTV enquiries, two further men, now known to be Phillips and Eedy, were connected to the flat and the BMW. A comprehensive review of phone data was conducted which showed that Phillips and Eedy had operated drug lines supplying in the Cardiff area. Phillips was arrested two days later on February 27. Upon learning officers were conducting arrest enquiries for him, Eedy handed himself into Cardiff Bay Police station on March 3.
Preece pleaded guilty to possess a firearm of length less than 30cm / 60cm – prohibited weapon, possess ammunition for a firearm when prohibited for five years, possess with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A – heroin, and possess with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A – cocaine. He was sentenced to 11 years.
Payne pleaded guilty to supply a controlled drug class A – crack cocaine, possess with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A – heroin, and possess with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A – cocaine. He was sentenced to four years and three months.
Phillips and Eedy both pleaded guilty to being concerned in supply of heroin, concerned in supply of cocaine, and concerned in the supply of crack cocaine. Phillips was sentenced to five years and one month. Eedy was sentenced to four years and one month.
Detective Inspector Alexander Bartley said:
“Our Serious Organised Crime team is committed to disrupting and dismantling drug gangs and the hard work of investigators meant the group had no choice but to plead guilty.
“This kind of offending has a devastating impact on the public and the communities they live in, so I hope this sentence goes some way to reassure them that we will take action.”
