A MAN from Barry is part of a large group of people to be convicted for importing and supplying Class B drugs from America with an estimated street value of over £11 million.
Eleven people, aged between 24 and 44, were convicted of Conspiracy to supply Class ‘B’ Controlled Drugs and Conspiracy to Import Cannabis after their operation was uncovered.
Led by Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) for southern Wales, a police investigation found the group – headed up by 28-year-old Abubakr Khawar from Cardiff – sourced wholesale cannabis from America to sell in the UK between November 9th, 2022 and December 9th, 2024. The cannabis was shipped over using parcel delivery services and was concealed in vacuum packs, disguised as items such as clothing and toys to avoid detection.
The parcels were then delivered to addresses – overseen by Cardiff man Mohammed Hussain (28) – across south Wales, with recruited individuals paid between £50 and £200 to receive them.
Following Tarian’s investigations, it’s estimated the gang was generating daily sales of over £10,000, and importing approximately 23 kilos of cannabis each week. Parcels intercepted by Border Force were estimated to be worth between £7.5 million and £11.2 million.
On December 9th, 2024, Tarian, supported by South Wales Police and British Transport Police, executed a number of warrants to arrest those involved.
The following members pleaded guilty to of Conspiracy to supply Class ‘B’ Controlled Drugs and Conspiracy to Import Cannabis:
- Abubakr Khawar, aged 28, of Riverside, Cardiff, pleaded on 19th March
- Solomon Bertram, aged 36, of Llanishen, Cardiff, pleaded on 19th March
- Daniel Marshall, aged 40, of Treharris, Merthyr Tydfil, pleaded on 4th April
- Andrew Pethers, aged 36, of St Melons, Cardiff, pleaded on 13th May
- Sophie Jones, aged 32, of Splott, Cardiff, pleaded on 23rd May
- Kyle Solowyk, aged 29, of Barry, pleaded on 23rd May
- Ceiron Jones, aged 28, of Whitchurch, Cardiff, pleaded on 1st May
They were all remanded into custody to await a sentencing date.
Mohammed Nurul Hussain, aged 28, of Cardiff, and Abdu Huriara Husain, aged 28, of Leckwith, Cardiff pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to supply Class ‘B’ Controlled Drugs on 19th March and 23rd May, respectively. During a trial for Conspiracy to Import Cannabis, both changed their pleas to guilty on 5th June, and were remanded to prison pending sentencing.
Sean Montgomery, aged 24, of Rumney, Cardiff, and Steven Munroe, aged 44, of Riverside, Cardiff, pleaded not guilty to both offences. Following a trial at Newport Crown Court, they were found guilty of both offences on Wednesday, 11th June.
Sentencing is due to commence on Wednesday 10th September.
Detective Constable Sean Meyrick, of Tarian ROCU, said: “I welcome the verdicts reached today, and await the outcome of the sentencing hearing.
“I would like to thank Border Force for their assistance in this investigation, and colleagues at Tarian and our constituent forces.”
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