30/09/2016 BBC Wales Today

It was the biggest ever drugs investigation by Dyfed Powys Police.

19 people are sentenced to 169 years behind bars.

Together they prayed upon those in the grip of addiction who often

turned to other crimes to support their habit.

Also tonight, a dangerous and manipulative sex offender.

Gymnastics coach Luke Griffin is jailed - a court hears

he was sexually gratified by feet and tied up

Why the Welsh Government sold these properties for almost a million

This power tunnel is the blueprint for one to be built on Anglesey.

It'll carry electricity cables linking the new Wylfa nuclear power

station to the National Grid - tonight an insight

And in tonight's sport, he says he's in the best

Nathan Cleverly prepares to fight in Germany for the world title.

Good evening, welcome to the programme.

It was the biggest drugs investigation ever conducted

by Dyfed Powys Police and it's led to 19 people being sentenced to 169

The gang, which included members from South Wales,

Liverpool and Manchester, attempted to sell ?19

These are the people who, it was said in court,, brought misery and

debt too many families. Convicted of a conspiracy to supply class a

drugs, they have been jailed for 106 to nine years. Described in court as

the leaders of this drugs ring, 32-year-old Matthew Roberts and

30-year-old Ian Michael Edwards from Liverpool took their time to recruit

and plan their efforts to bring 15 kilos of cocaine to south-west

Wales. It is fair to say this is one of the most challenging operations

we have taken here. Given the example of the numbers deployed in

Liverpool during the arrest phase of the upstream suppliers, in excess of

200 officers were deployed in the Liverpool area. This quiet street in

the Swansea Valley became the centre of their operations. It was to a

flat in this property where the cocaine was transported from

Liverpool and Manchester. Here it was cut, mixed and packaged, ready

to be sold on the streets of the South West valleys and

Pembrokeshire. It was here where Dyfed-Powys Police were able to

conceal a recording device to catch the gang of criminals red-handed.

The investigation focused on the activities of organised crime groups

in South West Wales, Liverpool and Greater Manchester. Very soon it

became clear to police of the rules of certain gang members, some acted

as the organisers, others as the pals guardians and careers. It

became a UK police effort to catch all those involved and eventually

more than 2.5 kilos of high purity cocaine was seized by Dyfed-Powys

Police as well as hundreds and thousands of pounds in cash. Each

defendant in this case had a distinct role in the group. Each

bears no responsibility for bringing misery to the communities they

supplied. Together they prayed upon those in the grip of addiction who

often turn to often other types of crime to support their habit. There

has been a 15% rise in hospital admissions involving cocaine over

the last five years. In 2013, cocaine was mentioned on the death

record of seven people. In the same year, police in Wales made 761

cocaine seizures, that is higher than the number of times they seized

heroin or amphetamines. There is a clear message to those individuals,

take this opportunity as a warning that this is not the place to come

to be involved in organised crime. The judge said the analysis of the

data obtained during this operation and the surveillance methods

deployed by the police of the absolute highest order. At the close

of proceedings, the judge said this had been a detailed and exceptional

investigation. He formally commended three officers of Dyfed-Powys Police

and a civilian crime analyst. He said the public would then a great

debt of thanks for their work. A 20-year-old gymnastics coach has

been sentenced to six years in prison at Cardiff Crown Court

for sexually abusing The police have called 20-year-old

Luke Griffin a dangerous and manipulative sex offender

after he groomed seven girls and one boy between the ages of seven

and ten over two years. The court was told that Griffin

was sexually gratified by feet Teleri Glyn Jones is in the newsroom

now. What more can you tell us? The court

heard that Luke Griffin targeted seven girls and a boy, all under ten

years old, I licking, biting and tickling their feet, all for his

sexual gratification. He tied up some of his terrified victims and

lock them in the boot of his car. Some of the assaults he even

recorded on his phone. The prosecutor said he was deliberate

and sophisticated in the way he chose his victims, targeting young

and vulnerable children whose parents had split up. He would then

arrange left to and from the gymnastics club in order to get

access to the children away from their parents. The judge said it was

the grossest breach of trust and that each child had been profoundly

affected. Was at the police said about this? Detective has said this

was a particularly serious case because Luke Griffin had abused a

position of trust to deceive decent trusting people. She said the

parents had been on a harrowing journey and that the children had

shown remarkable bravery in coming forward. The Crown Prosecution

Service said they hoped a six-year sentence would be of some comfort to

the young victims and their families. We approached British

gymnastics for a comment and they say they have been working with the

relevant authorities but that it wouldn't be appropriate for them to

comment at the moment. The man charged with the murder of

two people on Cardiff's Queen Street Andrew Saunders, who's 20,

spoke to confirm his name and date of birth and gave his address

as of no fixed abode. He was remanded in custody,

to appear at Cardiff Zoe Morgan and Lee Simmons

were stabbed near the Matalan shop The appointment of a new Chief

Constable for Dyfed-Powys Police Mark Collins who's currently

the deputy chief constable in Bedfordshire will take over

from Simon Prince, who's Mr Collins began his career

in Carmarthen in 1987. He says his main challenges will be

policing rural communities The challenges will always be the

morality of the force and getting to emergency calls as quickly as we

possibly can. That'll always be a challenge for a force such as

Dyfed-Powys Police but we also have challenges with austerity. We're are

negotiating for a new forming -- funding formula.

A company seeking a management buyout of Tata steel

is willing to increase its bid for the Port Talbot steelworks

Speaking exclusively to BBC Wales, the chairman of Excalibur,

Roger Maggs, also says he'd consider working with competitor

Liberty Steel and look at taking on the pension scheme.

I suspect there are other solutions other than the pension protection

front which will not be popular, or the change in the law that now seems

to be drifting away. If the door closed? Can explore other ways?

Having been told, don't worry about it, we're happy to explore other

ways. Let s speak to our business

correspondent Brian Meechan who's How significant is it that Roger

Maggs is speaking out now? It is significant, Excalibur had been one

of the three bidders that were expected to go on to the short list

to buy Port Talbot and the other UK sites that at a steel has. Before

that short list was expected, it emerged that Tater was in talks with

a German firm over a merger that would see it and other UK operations

on hold. It has to be said that is surprising to some people and this

move, I think, is the first time ultimately that Excalibur had spoken

out since that happened. It is making a move in three significant

areas saying it will increase its bid, it will potentially work with

liberty, its competitor, who it had seriously ruled out working within

the past, and that whole issue of pensions, a major part of the deal,

it now will be willing look at taking on that pension scheme. What

can we expect to see in the coming months about the future of Port

Talbot? I think the key issue is, that relationship as it emerges

between Tater steel and the other group and whether that merger will

go ahead. It is a complex one but many are concerned that it doesn't

leave a long-term future guaranteed for Port Talbot and the Welsh sites

although they say that necessarily true if it is efficient enough.

Pensions is the key issue, it is not just down to them because ultimately

the UK Government will play a part in funding any dealers goes ahead

and in dealing with the pensions issue. The pensions issue ultimately

is going to be crucial in anything that goes ahead now.

Three shops in Pontypridd were sold by the Welsh Government for close

to a million pounds less than the price they paid for them.

The units were purchased for ?1.25 million in 2008 as part

of regeneration plans which didn't materialise.

An opposition AM has referred the case to a spending watchdog.

The government says it sold the shops based

The shops are empty now, though clearly they were bargains to be had

here. In 2008, the last government was hoping this area would be

transformed by a new shopping centre. As a result, it bought three

shops at a total cost of over ?1 million. But when the economy crash,

the idea was dropped. Ministers had paid ?100,000 for these two shops

and a further 4,000 and ?50,000 with this one. Earlier this year, all

three were sold for a total of just ?271,000. Around a fifth of the

original cost. It only came to light after this assembly member uncovered

the information through a Freedom of Information request. He has now

referred the matter to the police. It is clear that it is happening

time and time again is at the very least, we are talking about a series

of incompetence is. There should be some disciplinary procedures

following there if people have not done what they should have been

doing. An independent valuation for the last government said the lower

price was as a result of changes in market conditions for properties of

this nature over the period between 2008 and 2016. The properties were

vacant so not generating a rental income and that the condition had

deteriorated for the past eight years. I have been told the Welsh

government only asked for that information earlier this week. I

have a letter containing the advice and it is dated yesterday, a month

after the initial request was made to ministers so we have asked the

Welsh government, why was that decision taken earlier this year to

sell these properties? The Welsh government says it the properties

because they had been identified as surplus stock. The matter has now

been referred to Wilson 's public spending watchdog and they say they

are considering the information to see if further investigation is

required. Still to come in the programme:

From a classical pianist to a tennis champion -

the first awards celebrating the achievements of young

black people in Wales. And could it be last orders

at one of Dylan Thomas The campaign to save a treasured

watering hole in New Quay. A 2.5 mile tunnel under

the Menai Strait with cables linking Anglesey's Wylfa Newydd power

station to the National Grid - National Grid say they're proposing

the underwater link instead of pylons, to protect

the area s natural beauty. However campaigners say power

lines should be buried The Menai tunnel will be based

on ones already under Anglesey is positioning itself as a

so-called energy Island, providing up to 10% of Britain's power using a

combination of generators, most notably the replacement for the

existing nuclear power station but it needs a way of delivering that

power to the National Grid on the mainland in an area of outstanding

natural beauty. To do that, they will have to tunnel under the water.

Techniques are already being pioneered in the UK capital. A city

the size of London it uses a vast amount of power and that is why they

are in the process of upgrading the infrastructure, but with pylons

above ground but with cables down below. It takes a full five minutes

to descend the dozens of flights of concrete steps that icky deep under

the heart of central London. These tunnels will eventually house

massive budget city cables, but of the power during deep under the

Thames. It is part of ?1 billion project, three tunnels, 30

kilometres. A similar project will be built in North Wales. The

Welshman will be a four point one: otters and analyse straight and the

tunnel will be even bigger than this, five metres in diameter. I am

external affairs manager of the National Grid. I know in London that

this project has cost ?1 billion. An expensive option, do you know the

last one will cost? We're looking at probably over ?1 million just for

this cable channel to take the link from Anglesey and over to the

mainland and into the National Grid. This is a feat of engineering. Here

in London we are digging through London clay. Different conditions in

Wales with rock and limestone that it will be a real engineering

challenge for us to do that. This project has taken about eight years

and we think it will be less for North Wales. Back on Anglesey

however, one Councillor has cold the tunnel a token gesture. Many have

campaigned for all the power cables to be buried because it is concerned

more pylons will have a negative impact on the island landscape. We

do not want pylons across the island because it affects the beauty. It is

our biggest selling point. It is a way important for our economy.

Economy is built on farming and tourism and that is what is

important to us, the natural beauty. National Grid say they published

their favoured route but the pylons and details of the tunnel and now

want local people's views until the consultation ends in mid-December.

The first ever awards ceremony for young black people in Wales

who've made a positive contribution to their community has taken place.

Among the winners a former asylum seeker now a tennis champion

A chance to showcase the talents of black youngsters from around Wales.

These towards held in the Senate today, recognition for hard work and

community spread shown by each of the winners. Kimberley from Swansea,

a former asylum seeker, has become a number-1 Welsh under 18 's tennis

player. Without funding, she has been coached by her father who

learned the game a book. It really means a lot to be me because words

can't explain how much my parents have struggled and how much I have

struggled and this award can show people that if you work hard and are

determined and if you sacrifice, you can become big and people can

recognise how much hard work you do. Also from Swansea, this lady awarded

for her music and passion to share it with others. There are not many

coloured people, I would say, but do what I do. It is very rewarding. I

want to show others that anything, any dream you can put your mind to,

you can achieve. These towards are about unearthing new talent which

deserves recognition. One of the nominees for the sport towards was a

chilly the national Welsh youth champion and I did not know, I had

never come across her name or seen her on TV, so you can imagine that

such a gem had it not been for these towards. There were towards for

young carers, volunteers and entrepreneurs among others. The

wider aims, say the organisers, is to share to the world the

conservation of the Black committee. Anything and I cannot believe it is

a chilly happened so, thank you. For me, good to see so many other people

in the black community. It is good, it feels nice. A very good day.

Thank you very much. Let's catch up with the sports

news - here's Claire. The pressure is still on for our

Welsh Football Clubs with Swansea, Cardiff and Newport at the wrong end

of the table. The Swans welcome Liverpool

to the Liberty Stadium, only one point above

the relegation zone. Cardiff are one OFF the bottom

of the championship, Newport County who're bottom

of League Two play Stevenage. The club's confirmed it's unlikely

a replacement for sacked manager Warren Feeney will be appointed

before the end of next week. Wrexham are mid-table

in the National League The most important thing for me is

to work with my players and with my team on the training ground and to

prepare the next game and focus with concentration. It is not a good

moment for our team because we have not a good table. We need a result.

On the international front - there's another World Cup worry

Joe Allen is doubtful for Stoke's game against Manchester United

on Sunday, he hasn't trained all week with a tight hamstring.

Coleman is already without Aaron Ramsey for next week's

qualifiers against Austria and Georgia.

Rugby and the Dragons play Glasgow in the Pro12 tonight looking

Tomorrow the Ospreys are first up away to Ulster.

The Blues are home to Leinster and the Scarlets

He says he's trained like a machine and is in

Nathan Cleverly fights in Germany tomorrow hoping to dethrone WBA

World Light Heavyweight Champion - Jurgen Brahmer.

It's a fight, that's taken five years to make and as Huw Morgan

reports, the Welshman says, it's now his time and the belt

Famous for its historic gates and buildings,

Neubrandenburg is a world away from the glitz and

glamour of Las Vegas or Madison Square Garden.

This weekend the eyes of the world will be firmly on this

quiet German city, two hours north of Berlin.

These two boxers, Nathan Cleverly and current light

heavyweight champion Jurgen Brahmer go head-to-head with this belt on

They've never fought in the ring but Brahmer has defined Cleverly's

Five years ago they were meant to fight for the WBA light

heavyweight championship in London, only for the German to withdraw with

injury, handing Cleverley his first title at just 24 years of age.

He is now 29 and no longer a world champion and his career has

All experiences, Cleverly says, he has learned from.

I wouldn't have done anything differently.

I look back and think, wow, what an absolutely brilliant

That was the first chapter of my career and it was an

I lived the dream, I was a world champion in a 24.

At some point it will come to an end and

here we are, wiser, I've learned a lot, I am more humble,

I am stronger and I'm ready for chapter two and to

The sports stadium is a venue Jurgen Brahmer

With the final preparations underway in the venue

ahead of fight night tomorrow, Cleverly's trainer is in confident

We're prepared to go into deep, deep waters in this fight.

Best physically and mentally I've ever seen him in the

four or five years I've been involved with Nathan.

He has come for one thing and that is the world title.

Don't be fooled by his relaxed demeanour.

Nathan Cleverly is a man on a mission, to

become world champion for the second time.

And just a reminder that you can catch the Dragon

in action tonight - Scrum V Live is on BBC

It's the oldest pub in the Ceredigion seaside town

of New Quay and it's said to have inspired some of Dylan Thomas' work.

But the Dolau Inn which opened in the 18th century is set to close

as a pub - and be turned into accommodation.

Locals have now started a petition to try and save it.

The town was not yet awake. Dylan Thomas 's play, quite early one

morning, inspired and written during his short time Britain in the

seaside town of the key. Dylan was a regular in most of the towns pubs

but it was the Dolau Inn it was said to be his wife was my favourite. It

is the oldest pub here but its life after 250 years of serving beer is

due to come to an end as the brewery in to turn it into accommodation for

their neighbouring pub. It has a lot of history. I think it is about the

first, second or third house built here so it has been around for a

very long time and a lot of the locals and tourists have great

memories of the place and it would be a shame to lose it. It wasn't

just and Thomas are trying here but also actors Richard Burton along

with Oscar winner Paul Scofield when they were visiting Newquay but it is

the link to the Welsh writer and poet that have earned it a place on

the Dylan Thomas trail with many tourists popping in here, following

in Dylan's footsteps. Dylan Thomas 's year here was even turned into a

film when Matthew Rees, Sienna Miller and Keira Knightley starred

in the edge of Love. Local historian says places like the Dolau Inn and

its regulars inspired his most famous work. He wrote quite early

one morning, which was a radio play and during the war and it is based

absolutely on new key. What you will find, if you look at the two of

them. I'll paintings still hang on the wall, it is a different pub from

the days of Dylan Thomas but many here have fond memories. Iron member

when I was a youngster, this was the first place I ever came to drink and

those of my father back in 1968. It seems time has passed and will be

cold but this pub, steeped in Welsh history. Last orders!

The weather is next. Were in for a mixed weekend, feeling

fresher with rain at times on Saturday and then Sunday is looking

drier and brighter. The pressure chart shows this rain that is curing

eastwards and the next area of low pressure arriving overnight to bring

in rain at times tomorrow. This evening, dry for a time with clear

spells further east that this next and of more persistent heavy showery

rain will arrive in the West overnight with those of seven to 12

Celsius. Tomorrow, some dry spells in the north and east but a Met

Office warning for outbreaks of rain pushing in from the Southwest. Heavy

at times with a risk of hail and thunder. It should ease in the

afternoon with winds easing and much fresher feel in recent days. Top

temperatures of 11 Celsius. Later tomorrow, that Lou clears eastwards

and a brief ridge of high pressure building from the south overnight

into Sunday, a settled spell between these two weather systems so

tomorrow night, showers easing, turning drier. Colder overnight with

temperatures into new single figures in rural mid Wales. Sunday, some

early mist that a dry and chilly start and then turning into a fine,

dry day with some good sunny spells. Highs of 14 or 15 Celsius. Ideal

weather if, like me, you are taking part in the current half marathon on

Sunday. It should stay dry with sunny spells. A mixed weekend. Heavy

rain at times on Saturday and on Sunday, the better day. And they

should be largely dry and fine but breezy and some early signs of

things getting warmer again midweek. Finally, today's picture by one of

our weather watchers. A rainbow between the sunshine and showers

today. More rain there at times. If you have any photos to help tell the

weather story, you can become a weather watcher and upload pictures

on the website. We'll have a quick update at 8,

more after the BBC News at 10. For now from all of

us on the programme,