0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:08 > 0:00:14- I'm Mali Harries and I'm meeting - former and current detectives...
0:00:14 > 0:00:19- ..who've worked on Wales' - biggest criminal investigations.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24- Tonight on Y Ditectif, - I learn how the police...
0:00:24 > 0:00:27- ..catch - international drugs suppliers.
0:00:28 > 0:00:33- I return to the 1980s to revisit the - case of the Seal Bay smugglers...
0:00:33 > 0:00:36- ..who built a cave - beneath a Pembrokeshire beach.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40- And I discover - how digital techniques...
0:00:41 > 0:00:44- ..helped catch - a drugs dealer in North Wales.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25- In this quiet corner - of Cardigan Bay...
0:01:25 > 0:01:28- ..the coast - is both wild and beautiful.
0:01:28 > 0:01:33- But in June 1983, it wasn't tourists - who came to north Pembrokeshire...
0:01:33 > 0:01:38- ..to walk its coastal paths - and beaches, it was smugglers.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45- A local fisherman - was first to arouse suspicions...
0:01:45 > 0:01:50- ..after seeing a stranger sitting - in a remote bay north of Newport.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53- The man said - he was on a secret expedition.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57- After the police were called...
0:01:58 > 0:02:02- ..they investigated further - with the Newport lifeboat crew.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06- We started - at eight o'clock in the morning.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11- I sent two officers with the - inshore rescue craft to investigate.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15- Random items were discovered there.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20- Gallons of petrol, - food, batteries...
0:02:20 > 0:02:22- ..and sleeping bags.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29- Local farmers also thought...
0:02:29 > 0:02:32- ..that something suspicious - was going on.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37- They'd seen strangers - walking across their land at night.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42- I went to the milk the cows - in the morning...
0:02:42 > 0:02:44- ..at about half past four...
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- ..and I saw - a strange light next door.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50- I had a real fright. - I didn't know what to think.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57- I called my son and told him - I'd seen a strange light...
0:02:57 > 0:03:00- ..and he said, - "That's your UFO, Mam."
0:03:02 > 0:03:04- He just made fun of me.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10- Some local farmers - accompanied the police....
0:03:11 > 0:03:13- ..as they searched - the shingle beaches.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16- In a quiet bay called Cell Hywel...
0:03:16 > 0:03:19- ..a farmer - threw a stone across the beach...
0:03:20 > 0:03:22- ..and heard a hollow echo.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25- After clearing the stones, - they found a hatch...
0:03:25 > 0:03:28- ..and beneath it a narrow cave.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35- Though detectives suspected - it was a storeroom for cannabis...
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- ..those responsible for it - remained a mystery.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56- They found a crevice...
0:03:56 > 0:04:00- ..in the cave, so they - removed all the stones from that.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05- They'd fibreglassed the inside - to make it completely watertight.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10- Whatever was going to be - stored there had to be kept dry.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14- It was obvious that something major - was going on there...
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- ..but there was little evidence - as to what it was.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- We suspected it was possibly drugs.
0:04:28 > 0:04:33- Despite all the equipment and the - excavated cave under the beach...
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- ..there was - no obvious evidence of a crime.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40- There were certainly - no drugs found there.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49- Detectives started keeping - a close eye on the area.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54- One day, a suspicious-looking man - was seen walking in the fields.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59- The man was lying in the grass - on the clifftop.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02- He was a tall and thin man...
0:05:02 > 0:05:07- ..wearing a long black coat - over his knees and a haversack.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11- He said he was looking - for the Coastal Path.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16- He said he lived in - Clarendon House, Clarendon Road...
0:05:16 > 0:05:19- ..and that he was - a property developer.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24- Robin Boswell - was the first to be arrested.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- Days later, - a stranger was spotted...
0:05:30 > 0:05:34- ..driving a Range Rover - erratically out of Newport.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- He was taken into custody - for questioning.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40- His name was Kenneth Dewar.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43- His address...
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- ..was Clarendon House, - Clarendon Road, London.
0:05:48 > 0:05:54- His trousers and his heavy boots - were full of fibreglass.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56- He was detained as well.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- On the Pendinas peninsula - some days later...
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- ..the police arrested another man.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- His name was Soeren Berg-Arnbak.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10- He'd altered - his appearance and name...
0:06:11 > 0:06:13- ..to flee authorities in Denmark.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16- When he was arrested...
0:06:17 > 0:06:19- ..they found - a marine radio in his bag.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- Detectives took the radio - to the shore at night...
0:06:24 > 0:06:26- ..and waited for contact.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31- It was something past midnight, - I think...
0:06:31 > 0:06:33- ..and the machine came to life.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36- STATIC
0:06:36 > 0:06:38- "This is mother. This is mother.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- "I want to come in - and get the dirt off my hands."
0:06:43 > 0:06:45- But it was impossible - for police to reply...
0:06:46 > 0:06:49- ..without knowing - the appropriate code.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53- It once again suggested - that it was drugs trafficking...
0:06:53 > 0:06:58- ..but they were out in the bay, - the policemen were on the shore...
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- ..with no way of getting to them.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- But they needed more evidence - to detain the three men.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11- Robin Boswell had been operating - under several names too.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15- Detectives searched - several of his properties in London.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18- He liked burying things.
0:07:19 > 0:07:24- We found these tanks in Dockhead and - in Kilnhanger, another safe house.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27- They were building tanks...
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- ..so they could be buried there.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37- Another man - was seen drinking with the men...
0:07:37 > 0:07:39- ..and spending lots of cash - in local pubs.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- He called himself Dave.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- It was rumoured he lived in Antibes.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50- We flew to the south of France - in February 1984.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55- We came across a sign - which read, Jenkins Yacht Brokerage.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59- We didn't believe - that a Frenchman...
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- ..would have the surname Jenkins...
0:08:02 > 0:08:04- ..so we entered the place.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08- Luckily, the door was open - on a Saturday morning in February.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11- I said, "Bore da"...
0:08:11 > 0:08:14- ..and a Northwalian voice replied, - "Bore da."
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- I said we were looking - for the man in the photograph.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20- He said he knew him.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- He said, "You'll find him - at Harry's Bar in Antibes.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- "He's a South African. - I'm sure he'll be there."
0:08:27 > 0:08:29- But they were too late.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- The man had already left France.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38- Detectives returned - to Pembrokeshire empty handed.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43- On Good Friday, I received - a phone call from Cardigan Police...
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- ..asking me to phone this man - in France, it was urgent.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51- I phoned him and he said, "Dave's - back in the bar." David Friese.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- David Friese was arrested...
0:08:55 > 0:08:58- ..and transported back to Wales.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13- At Swansea Crown Court - in July 1984...
0:09:13 > 0:09:18- ..police presented evidence - against Boswell and his gang.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- But when Robin Boswell - gave testimony in court...
0:09:21 > 0:09:24- ..he had an explanation for it all.
0:09:24 > 0:09:29- He said a German U-boat had sunk - near Pendinas in World War Two...
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- ..and the U-boat - was laden with gold.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- That's why - he tunnelled beneath the beach.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- To store the gold - he was going to find.
0:09:38 > 0:09:43- He claimed that a man named David - Klein could corroborate the story.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- But the police were one step ahead.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- The man was already in a cell.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- That man was David Friese.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00- Though the detectives - found no trace of drugs...
0:10:00 > 0:10:02- ..the gang was imprisoned...
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- ..for conspiring - to smuggle drugs into Wales.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- Robin Boswell - was sentenced to 10 years...
0:10:10 > 0:10:12- ..and Soeren Berg-Arnbak...
0:10:12 > 0:10:15- ..was sentenced to eight years.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19- It was very pleasing to hear - the judge publicly commending...
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- ..the people of Newport - for their public spirit.
0:10:27 > 0:10:32- My hair was white at the time, - and Boswell said to me...
0:10:32 > 0:10:36- .."You're too old for this, boy, - they should've pensioned you off."
0:10:36 > 0:10:40- I said, "Don't worry, - they will have pensioned me off...
0:10:40 > 0:10:42- "..before you see daylight again."
0:10:43 > 0:10:44- And I was right!
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- In terms of the local people...
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- ..you could say they were nosy...
0:10:56 > 0:11:01- ..but they were like watchmen - and watching what was going on.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08- In the beginning...
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- ..the police's solicitor said...
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- .."You're amateurs - against these professionals."
0:11:15 > 0:11:18- But it was the amateurs - who beat the professionals.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35- Though it's 30 years - since Operation Seal Bay...
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- ..Wales' police forces - continue to chase criminals...
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- ..who traffic drugs into Wales.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- But when North Wales Police - uncovered a Caernarfon drugs ring...
0:11:46 > 0:11:49- ..the detectives' work - was very different.
0:11:54 > 0:11:54- .
0:11:57 > 0:11:57- Subtitles
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:12:12 > 0:12:15- Over the years, - criminals have found a way...
0:12:15 > 0:12:20- ..of smuggling drugs into Wales - via land and sea.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- And it's still happening.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29- Police techniques must advance...
0:12:29 > 0:12:33- ..to keep one step ahead - of the smugglers.
0:12:42 > 0:12:47- For five years, North Wales Police - led a covert operation...
0:12:47 > 0:12:52- ..to catch a gang who were selling - drugs and intimidating communities.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56- The investigation...
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- ..focused on the town of Caernarfon.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07- The investigation was launched - in November 2009...
0:13:07 > 0:13:11- ..when police were called - to Marcus Street, Caernarfon...
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- ..where they found - 70,000 worth of cocaine.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27- Seizing a drugs haul - worth this much...
0:13:27 > 0:13:30- ..doesn't happen - every day in Caernarfon.
0:13:31 > 0:13:36- We knew a sophisticated team - had started operating.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39- Over the months that followed...
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- ..police found more drugs - in the town.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- In October 2012, - they found cocaine worth 30,000...
0:13:46 > 0:13:49- ..in the locker of an employee - at the Castell hotel...
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- ..and yet more drugs - in a car in Bethel.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- Operation Yonside was launched - to track the dealers.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- One name was mentioned throughout.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08- Gavin Thorman.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- Not only was Gavin Thorman...
0:14:13 > 0:14:16- ..selling lots of drugs locally...
0:14:16 > 0:14:20- ..including cocaine, - heroin and cannabis...
0:14:21 > 0:14:25- ..he was a man - who was ready to use violence...
0:14:25 > 0:14:27- ..and threatening behaviour.
0:14:28 > 0:14:33- The gang - carried knives and fake handguns.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36- They drove flash cars...
0:14:37 > 0:14:41- ..and were spotted - in speedboats on the Menai Strait.
0:14:41 > 0:14:46- I think they regarded themselves - as the Untouchables.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- They thought - they were above the law.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- This is Pool Street, Caernarfon.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- We knew - Gavin Thorman and his team...
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- ..operated - from an address on this street.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- This is where - they did all their planning.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- Their HQ, as it were.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- This is where - the ring leaders gathered.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- Gavin Thorman and his accomplices.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- This is where they planned - their next step.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- We were also planning - our next step...
0:15:27 > 0:15:32- ..because we were keeping them - under surveillance at this address.
0:15:40 > 0:15:45- Thorman or a gang member drove to - Manchester to collect the drugs...
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- ..or they met dealers - in Betws-y-Coed and Deiniolen.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53- They regularly changed their cars, - but unbeknown to them...
0:15:53 > 0:15:56- ..police were following - their every move.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07- The police recorded footage - of the gang exchanging black bags.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13- They also monitored - the gang's mobile phone activity.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19- Very quickly, we were picking up - different mobile numbers.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- It was obvious - the gang was changing numbers...
0:16:23 > 0:16:25- ..and SIM cards...
0:16:25 > 0:16:28- ..so we wouldn't be able - to follow the trail.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33- But we could follow the trail, - and that's what we did.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40- They studied more than 100 mobile - phones as part of the investigation.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44- In this forensic laboratory...
0:16:45 > 0:16:49- ..digital experts use - all kinds of covert techniques...
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- ..to study the police's mobiles.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55- They agreed to show us - some of the techniques...
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- ..while others - must remain confidential.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- I look for any memory cards - or SIM cards...
0:17:05 > 0:17:09- ..that are in the device - and then I remove them.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- The phone - is placed in a Faraday box...
0:17:12 > 0:17:16- ..which restricts any incoming - or outgoing data to the phone.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23- They then use - special computer software...
0:17:23 > 0:17:25- ..to recover the phone's passcode.
0:17:26 > 0:17:31- Even if any data, such as messages, - calls, videos and images...
0:17:31 > 0:17:33- ..are deleted from the device...
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- ..this process retrieves the data.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39- The data is displayed on screen.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44- Even if everything - is wiped from the phone...
0:17:44 > 0:17:48- ..these experts - are able to recover all the data.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- We can retrieve various data...
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- ..such as - how many steps a person's taken...
0:17:54 > 0:17:57- ..their height and weight...
0:17:57 > 0:18:01- ..recent locations, - images, videos...
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- ..as well as contacts - and text messages.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- In the Caernarfon drugs' case...
0:18:07 > 0:18:09- ..North Wales Police...
0:18:09 > 0:18:14- ..knew the dealers were using - different SIMs to evade capture.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23- However, - Gavin Thorman wasn't as careful...
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- ..when he used a phone - at Altcourse prison in Liverpool.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- While he was in prison - for another crime...
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- ..police listened in - on his calls to his girlfriend.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38- Thorman thought no-one would - understand them speaking Welsh.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46- He didn't realize - that we had ways and means...
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- ..of listening in on these calls.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53- We gathered a lot of evidence...
0:18:53 > 0:18:58- ..about his past crimes - and future intentions.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- He saw himself becoming - the biggest dealer in North Wales.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05- That evidence - was used against him...
0:19:06 > 0:19:09- ..and we were ready for him - once he was released.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13- In August 2014...
0:19:13 > 0:19:16- ..the police arrested the dealers.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25- We were expecting a gang - from the Manchester area...
0:19:25 > 0:19:31- ..travelling to North Wales - in more than one vehicle.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- We were expecting them - to meet in Betws-y-Coed.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40- We were one step ahead.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44- They had no idea we were already - waiting for them in Betws-y-Coed.
0:19:46 > 0:19:51- Gavin Thorman and Christopher Taylor - drove to the Waterloo Hotel.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- They waited in the car park - for 20 minutes...
0:19:54 > 0:19:57- ..before getting a call - to say something had gone wrong.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00- They drove - straight back to Caernarfon.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06- A traffic officer had stopped - the other car near St Asaph...
0:20:07 > 0:20:11- ..unaware that - detectives were following them.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14- There was 50,000 worth of cannabis - in the boot.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22- We knew the gang came back here - from Betws-y-Coed on that day.
0:20:22 > 0:20:27- A large team of police officers - came to this address.
0:20:27 > 0:20:32- I think Gavin Thorman - realized the game was over.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34- He tried to escape...
0:20:35 > 0:20:37- ..via the roof...
0:20:37 > 0:20:39- ..but we pursued him on the roof...
0:20:40 > 0:20:42- ..assisted by the fire service.
0:20:42 > 0:20:47- He threw his phone over the top - and hid SIM cards under the tiles...
0:20:47 > 0:20:49- ..which we retrieved.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57- 39 people were arrested.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- 34 homes had been searched...
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- ..and 192 mobile phones seized.
0:21:03 > 0:21:08- The police had gathered - more than 2,000 pieces of evidence.
0:21:15 > 0:21:20- In April 2015, - at Caernarfon Crown Court...
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- ..25 people were imprisoned - for a total of 127 years...
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- ..for their part in the drugs ring.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32- This was the longest sentence given - in a drugs' case in North Wales.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40- Gavin Thorman was sentenced - to 12 years in prison.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- This man - wanted to take over North Wales.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54- We can't let - people like him take over.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58- We're here to take action, - and that's what we did.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09- We want North Wales - to be a safe environment...
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- ..and an ideal place to live.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16- The general belief is that we've - made a big difference in the area.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- Without the public's co-operation...
0:22:24 > 0:22:30- ..we wouldn't have been able - to put these criminals behind bars.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- Without the help of local people...
0:22:37 > 0:22:40- ..it's possible - that the Cardigan Bay smugglers...
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- ..would've hatched the plot - to smuggle drugs 30 years ago.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47- Though times have changed...
0:22:47 > 0:22:52- ..the work of detectives, past - and present, relies on information.
0:22:56 > 0:23:01- People still remember Operation - Seal Bay in north Pembrokeshire.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04- But what kind of investigation - would it have been...
0:23:04 > 0:23:07- ..with the police's - latest techniques?
0:23:07 > 0:23:10- According to the detectives...
0:23:10 > 0:23:15- ..the locals' information and - evidence is crucial in every case.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17- It's what helped - Pembrokeshire Police...
0:23:18 > 0:23:20- ..to catch the Seal Bay smugglers.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:44 > 0:23:44- .