Two women involved in a conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis have been ordered to pay just £1 each after benefiting by more than £30,000 between them.
Police surveillance and arrest
Police had been monitoring Jacob Kennedy, 20, at his flat in Nant Talwg Way, Barry, on August 13, 2023, preparing to execute a search warrant. While under surveillance, Kennedy left the property, got into a waiting car, then exited seconds later before returning inside. Moments later, officers moved in and arrested him.
A search of Kennedy's flat uncovered nearly 60 grams of high-purity cocaine and 39 ecstasy tablets. Police also seized a number of luxury items, including Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Dior trainers, under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Investigation uncovers drugs line
Mobile phones recovered from the address were later analysed and found to contain clear evidence of drug dealing activity. The investigation continued, and in August, 2025, officers examining one of the seized phones uncovered a drugs line operating under the name 'Kenno'. This led to further arrests, including Samantha Kennedy, 41, of Tennyson Road, and Christine Doyle, 42, of Ffordd Elin.
During a search of Doyle's home, officers recovered two safes containing a large quantity of Class A and B drugs with an estimated street value of £15,000.
Court proceedings and sentencing
Kennedy appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on August 28, 2025, to be sentenced for drug dealing offences stemming from his 2023 arrest. However, while at court, he was rearrested in connection with further offences uncovered during the ongoing investigation. Police also arrested Robson Mallam, 22, of College Crescent. A search of his home address uncovered drugs, cash and digital weighing scales.
Detective Constable Owain Grandin said: "Jacob Kennedy was using Robson Mallam as a runner to supply drugs on his behalf. Both Samantha Kennedy and Christine Doyle allowed drugs and cash to be kept in their houses and facilitated money transfers for the operation and were complicit in the supply of significant amounts of Cocaine, MDMA, Ketamine & Cannabis throughout Barry."
Sentences and POCA hearing
All four defendants appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, December 18. Jacob Kennedy was jailed for nine years and six months for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs, two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. Samantha Kennedy and Robson Mallam were each sentenced to four years and ten months in prison for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs. Christine Doyle was jailed for two years and ten months for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs, with an additional two months activated and running consecutively for breaching a suspended sentence order.
At a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing at Newport Crown Court on Wednesday, prosecutor Nuhu Gobir said Samantha Kennedy benefited to the tune of £20,203 as a result of her offending, and Doyle benefited to the tune of £16,539. The court heard that neither defendant had any available assets to their name. Judge Carl Harrison ordered Kennedy and Doyle to pay a nominal sum of £1 each, or to serve seven days in default if they do not pay.
