The arrest of a former police officer from Cardiff has led to the dismantling of a £7 million drugs gang, according to a report by Wales Online. Steven Creasey, a 67-year-old ex-police officer from Cardiff, was apprehended in Scotland after being flagged down by officers from Police Scotland in Fife on May 12, 2022, following a request from the Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit.
During the sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, it was revealed that Creasey had travelled from Cardiff to Liverpool on the same day before heading to Scotland. A search of his vehicle uncovered a hidden compartment under the passenger seat containing 5kg of heroin and 1kg of adulterant. Subsequently, a burner phone in his possession led to the identification of other gang members based in Liverpool.
Known as Operation Solon, the investigation by Tarian revealed that Creasey had been working as a professional courier in Cardiff, transporting heroin supplied by members of the gang based in Liverpool. This illicit operation involved Christopher Brannan, 38, Stephen Hopkins, 59, Kevin Thomson, 45, Christopher Heaney, 47, and Jeffrey Hickson, 61, who distributed the drugs across the UK.
Raids carried out in various locations including Cardiff, Liverpool, Scotland, and Northumberland resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of drugs, jewellery, and drug-making equipment. Creasey and his accomplices were convicted of various charges related to the conspiracy to supply heroin, with Creasey receiving a 12-year and seven-month sentence.
Following the sentencing, detective constable Rhys Richards of Tarian ROCU emphasised the dedication of law enforcement agencies in bringing the gang to justice, sending a clear message that drug-related crimes will not go unpunished. The successful collaboration between different police forces and agencies illustrated the effectiveness of partnership working in combatting organised crime.
The arrests and convictions resulting from Operation Solon have been hailed as a significant blow to a drug trafficking network that operated on a national scale, highlighting the commitment of law enforcement in tackling illicit drug trade and associated criminal activities.