A serving prisoner recruited his mother to launder money from a spice dealing operation he ran from his jail cell at HMP Cardiff. Cameron Williams, 27, was found in possession of more than 700g of the drug during a cell search.
Williams, who was convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, continued his drugs enterprise behind bars with the help of his mother Amanda Cotter, 56. A trial at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard that an investigation by Tarian, the regional organised crime unit for south Wales, identified two prisoners at HMP Cardiff conspiring to supply drugs within the prison estate.
Investigation uncovers drug supply network
The court heard that prison officers found 744g of spice in Williams' cell, which were seized by South Wales Police. The investigation established that Cotter used her bank account to receive payments for drugs from family members and partners of other prisoners on behalf of her son. She also attempted to conceal the origin of the funds by transferring money between her accounts.
Williams' partner Robyn Ward, 25, also facilitated payments through her bank accounts. Prisoner Ahmed Moshen, 28, was receiving money from family members to purchase drugs from Williams, with the intention of supplying them within the prison.
Sentences handed down
Williams, Ward and Moshen pleaded guilty to conspiracy with intent to supply class B drugs, and Cotter was found guilty of the same charge following the trial. Williams was sentenced to two years and three months imprisonment, consecutive to his existing sentence. Cotter was sentenced to three years and nine months imprisonment. Moshen was sentenced to seven years imprisonment, consecutive to his existing sentence, and Ward was sentenced to two years and 10 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.
Following the hearing, detective inspector Jason Meadows, of Tarian, said: "This was a complex investigation involving multiple individuals both within and outside the prison estate. I would like to thank HMPPS and, in particular, the staff at HMP Cardiff, for their support throughout this investigation."
"This partnership working enabled us to remove illicit drugs from the prison estate, thereby safeguarding vulnerable prisoners. We were able to identify the co-conspirators and bring all defendants before the courts."
"We will continue to work with HMPPS to proactively identify and pursue those involved in the possession and supply of illicit drugs within the prison estate, as well as those who enable them."
