‘Gangster godmother’ who led a double life as a drug kingpin at the head of a cocaine empire has FINALLY been caught after going on the run – The Sun

A ‘GANGSTER’ mother who led a hidden double life as the ‘godmother’ of a drug empire has finally been caught after 16 months on the run.

52-year-old farmer Lynne Leyson was on the run from justice and was on the most wanted list for a secret cocaine gang operating on her rural farm.

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The middle-aged Leyson had fled a cocaine trafficking case and had not been seen by police for a year.

But police today announced she had been re-arrested after being spotted at the farm in quiet Capel Dewi, Carmarthenshire, where she had based her criminal gang.

According to police, Leyson was arrested at Pibwr Farm on Monday after returning to the area on Sunday evening.

According to police, she had “travelled extensively across the UK during her 16-month flight”.

Detective Chief Inspector Rhys Jones, who led the search, said it sent a “strong message” to organised criminal gangs.

He said: “The arrest shows our determination to find those who think they can evade justice.

“I would like to thank the officers for their commitment, dedication, support and perseverance in bringing this part of the investigation to a successful conclusion.

“I would like to thank the public for the help and information they have provided over the last 16 months. We have greatly appreciated it.

“This sends a strong message that the activities of individuals linked to organised crime groups operating in the Dyfed Powys area will not be tolerated and they will be brought to justice.”

Crimestoppers offered a reward of up to £1,000 for Leyson.

Neighbors thought she was a decent country mother, but she was the “godmother” of a criminal family gang that supplied kilos of cocaine and cannabis to dealers from her remote small farm.

Her husband Stephen Leyson and his son Samson were sentenced to a total of 17 years in prison in July after police raided the farm.

But Leyson disappeared before she was due to appear in court to be tried, and was convicted in absentia by her judge.

A judge said the mother was a “dominant force” who played a “leading role” in the pharmaceutical industry.

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The court heard that officers attacked Pibwr Farm, near Capel Dewi, Carmarthenshire, in the early hours of October 27, 2021.

They found more than £60,000 worth of cocaine, £15,615 worth of cannabis, a 9mm semi-automatic firearm and cash, which they claimed came from a ‘house sale’.

During a proceeds of crime hearing, prosecutor Ieuan Rees told Swansea Crown Court that both Stephen and Lynne had profited £77,967 from their criminal lifestyles.

Investigators have identified available assets relating to Stephen worth £33,147 and relating to Lynne worth £26,442.

Samson Leyson profited from his involvement to the tune of £69,795 and investigators have identified assets – including a TAG Heuer Formula 1 watch – worth £9,550.

Judge Catherine Richards ordered the seizure of funds available to the three Leysons and gave them three months to pay up or face additional jail time.

The judge said she was “quite certain” that Leyson would be arrested “at some point” and brought before the court.

She was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis and possession of criminal property.

She was sentenced in absentia to nine years in prison.

After the case, a neighbor said, “We just couldn’t believe it.

“They seemed like a normal farm family, well, a bit rough around the edges, like many country people.

“Lynne actually seemed quite normal – not a cocaine dealer like she was. It’s all very strange.”

It was believed she was using the false name Annelyn Caldicot.

Leyson appeared at Swansea Crown Court this morning, Tuesday 17 September, where she was remanded in custody to begin her sentence.

She will appear in Swansea District Court on Friday, October 4.

A 26-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of assisting a criminal. She has been released on bail pending further police enquiries.

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