Wales’ most wanted woman dramatically caught by police – Wales Online
Drug dealer Lynne Leyson, who had been on the run for 16 months, has been apprehended by authorities and is now starting a nine-year prison sentence. Leyson, along with her husband and son, was involved in a major cocaine and cannabis dealing operation based on the family smallholding in rural Carmarthenshire. While her husband and son were previously sentenced last year, Leyson had evaded capture and was sentenced in her absence. After being on the run for over a year, Leyson was finally arrested on Sunday evening and appeared in Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday to begin her prison term.
Dyfed-Powys Police revealed that Leyson had travelled extensively across the UK during her time as a fugitive. The criminal network operated by the Leyson family was distributing significant amounts of cocaine and cannabis across Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, and Swansea. When police raided their property in October 2021, they found large quantities of drugs, cash, and even a semi-automatic pistol – an Italian model “Kimar 85 Auto” 9mm self-loading weapon.
Operational Hilston, the police investigation, revealed that the Leysons were running a sophisticated drug operation involving dealers in Pembrokeshire as well. Following a trial, Stephen Paul Leyson, Lynne Leyson, and Samson Leyson were convicted of drug supply conspiracies, with Stephen Leyson also facing a firearms possession charge. The family’s criminal activities were described as intricate and well-organized, leading to significant prison sentences for all involved.
Detective Chief Inspector Rhys Jones expressed gratitude to the public for their assistance in capturing Leyson. Her arrest underscores the authorities’ commitment to pursuing justice and dismantling organized crime groups in the Dyfed Powys area. Leyson’s return to police custody occurred after she re-entered the Dyfed-Powys Police force area on Sunday. Another individual, a 26-year-old woman, was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and has been released on police bail.
The successful apprehension of Lynne Leyson sends a clear message that criminal activities linked to organised crime will not be tolerated in the Dyfed Powys region. The efforts of law enforcement, combined with the support from the public, have led to a significant breakthrough in this case. The Leyson family’s drug dealing enterprise has now been dismantled, and those responsible are facing the consequences of their actions.
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