Gang leader John Gizzi jailed for 11 years

A 39-year-old man from Conwy has been jailed for 11 years at Caernarfon Crown Court for running a drugs gang.

John Gizzi, from St George near Abergele, admitted conspiring to bring cocaine into Wales.

Nine other men from Towyn, Rhyl, Kinmel Bay and Liverpool received prison sentences of between four-and-a-half and nine years for their part.

Judge Merfyn Hughes QC told Gizzi he played a 'primary role' in bringing cocaine into north Wales.

The gang were uncovered following an undercover police operation which at one stage discovered £29,000 stuffed under the seat of a car.

Police also found cocaine with a street value of £162,000 when they stopped a taxi at Queensferry in April last year.

The judge said anybody who is associated with the supply of Class A drugs should expect a serious prison sentence.

"You played a primary role in the organisation which brought significant quantities of cocaine into North Wales," he told Gizzi.

He now faces a fresh proceeds of crime application to seize assets he gained through his criminal activities.

Gizzi, a builder, led a millionaire lifestyle until a previous jail term for violence and cigarette smuggling which led to a confiscation order.

He old home - a country mansion - was put on the market for £1.75m.

It has four reception rooms and a leisure complex with swimming pool, gymnasium and tennis courts.

He also had a Bentley, Range Rover and Mercedes cars.

Kenneth Cain, 34, of Liverpool, was jailed for nine years after admitting conspiracy.

He must also serve a year more of a previous ten-year prison term, consecutively.

The judge said he was "closely involved in the wholesale supply from Liverpool to north Wales".