Four people from Cardiff have appeared in court accused of involvement in an international cannabis ring. Patrick O'Driscoll, 30, Gareth Press, 42, Ffion Bowes-Cavanagh Hooley, 24, and Levi Coomansingh, 20, have been charged in connection with a probe into the arrests of two Cardiff boys in Thailand earlier this year.
Boys Arrested at Thai Airport
Prosecutor Nicholas Evans told Cardiff magistrates’ court the boys, both 17, were arrested at a Thai airport on June 23 with 64kg of cannabis hidden in their suitcases. They had been attempting to board a flight back to the UK. Mr Evans said the boys had been “trafficked across international boundaries”. Their arrests sparked a South Wales Police investigation into how they came to be in Thailand, where they remain in custody.
Raids and Charges
After a series of raids in south Wales earlier this week, a handgun was discovered in a storage facility and four suspects were charged:
- O'Driscoll, of Clos y Rhiw in Caerau, is charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug, four counts of conspiring to arrange the travel of another with a view to exploitation, and possession of a firearm.
- Coomansingh, of Angelina Street in Butetown, is charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug and four counts of conspiring to arrange the travel of another with a view to exploitation.
- Press, of Wheatley Road in Ely, is charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug and two counts of conspiring to arrange the travel of another with a view to exploitation.
- Hooley, of Clos y Rhiw in Caerau, is charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug.
Evidence and Next Steps
Mr Evans said analysis of phone messages had shown discussion of clothing, footwear and passport photos for alleged drug couriers referred to as “flyers”. Messages also referred to flights between Heathrow and Bangkok airports, cryptocurrency transactions, cash payments, and communications with Thai nationals, the court heard. Hooley, a mum-of-three, has been bailed ahead of the next hearing, which will take place next month at Cardiff crown court. The other defendants have been remanded in custody.
Fifth Suspect and Police Comment
A fifth suspect, a 23-year-old man from Keighley in West Yorkshire, was arrested this week on suspicion of improper importation of controlled drugs. He has been released on police bail. A South Wales Police spokesman said: "The children remain in custody in Thailand where they are being supported by their families and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office." The families have been updated regarding the arrests and charges. We understand this continues to be a concerning time for them and the wider community.
Police asked anyone with information or concerns to call them on 101 and quote reference number 2600200125. You can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
