A FAMILY-RUN drugs gang controlling a “sophisticated and professional” operation producing and suppling cannabis was smashed by police.

The Caerphilly-based crew were led by Richard Jones, 28, of Pant Glas Close, Trethomas, who was jailed at Newport Crown Court.

With him in the dock were his girlfriend Lauren Davies, 25, also of Pant Glas Close, Trethomas, Richard Hughes, 56, of New Street, Caerphilly, Aaron Jones, 35, of Wedgewood Court, Lansbury Park, Caerphilly, and Nathan Crowley, 37, of Grays Gardens, Graig-y-Rhacca.

Timothy Evans, prosecuting, said: “The five defendants are a family who acted together to produce and supply large amounts of cannabis in the Caerphilly area.

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“On July 17, 2020, Gwent Police executed a warrant at Pant Glas Close in Trethomas, that is the home of Richard Jones and and his partner Lauren Davies.

“There was a small cannabis grow set-up.

“Eight large healthy plants were found together with 33 smaller plants in a separate nursery ready to grow on, together with a weighing-scales obviously to be used as part of the production.”

He continued: “The set-up was small in scale, but the quality of plants produced was excellent.

“It was a sophisticated and professional set-up and environment for the cultivation of cannabis.

“The larger plants were very near harvest, and with the smaller saplings ready to move on.”

Mr Evans added: “Richard Jones boasted of making large amounts of money from the sale of cannabis and still having his salary on top to live on.

“He claimed to have had 13 previous grows and that he could harvest 100 ounces from a grow.”

The prosecutor said from the content of messages recovered from Davies’ mobile phone “it is clear she also played a significant role in the supply of cannabis” in co-operation with brothers Richard and Aaron Jones.

Crowley also played a “significant role” in the operation with Richard Jones’ father Hughes acting as the gardener cultivating the crops.

All defendants pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Richard Jones and Davies also admitted the production of cannabis.

Stephen Thomas, mitigating for Richard Jones, and Joshua Scouller, for Davies, said their clients had no previous convictions.

William Bebb, representing Hughes, said he had been assessed as posing a low risk of reoffending.

Byron Broadstock, for Aaron Jones said the defendant, a father-of-four, had no relevant previous convictions.

Jeffrey Jones, representing Crowley, said his client was now drug free.

Judge Daniel Williams jailed Richard Jones for 18 months.

Davies was jailed for 10 months, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 10 sessions of a rehabilitation activity requirement and made the subject of a three-month curfew between 7pm and 7am.

Hughes was sentenced to a community order and made the subject of a three-month curfew between 7pm and 7am.

The judge told him: “With four children and 10 grandchildren, you are getting a bit old for this kind of caper.”

Aaron Jones was jailed for eight months, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete a 12-day rehabilitation activity requirement and made the subject of a three-month curfew.

Crowley was jailed for eight months, suspended for 12 months, and made the subject of a three-month curfew between 7pm and 7am.