Operation Orange Gobi was an investigation conducted by South Wales Police Organised Crime Unit and force intelligence in 2015 and 2016. The investigation focused on suspected criminal activities of an Organised Crime Group (OCG) that were based in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The OCG were engaged in facilitating the transfer, storage and supply of large quantities of the class A controlled drug cocaine. The OCG that formed this conspiracy had a structure that comprised of hierarchy, upstream suppliers, couriers and low-level street dealers.
Members of the OCG were the subject of significant police surveillance over several months. The surveillance included audio recorded conversations between members of the OCG, telephone analysis, and in-depth financial investigation. Throughout the investigation it was evidenced that the suspects disposed of and replaced mobile telephones and hired vehicles in an apparent attempt to evade police attention and intervention.
The intervention of officers of South Wales Police culminated in several arrests and the recovery of multiple kilos of cocaine and a sawn-off shotgun. The total amount of cocaine recovered during the operation would have had a street value of almost £500,000. Cash amounting to over £50,000 was also seized by police.
SCM Law acted for two of the Defendants prosecuted as part of Operation Orange Gobi.