Two men sentenced for drug offences

Two men have been sentenced after officers from Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales, observed them engaging in a drug exchange in Swansea.

On June 9, 2024, Tarian officers observed 50-year-old Lee Ruggles (right) and 21-year-old Kian Piyadasa (left) as they exchanged a package between two vehicles.

Ruggles was seen exiting his Ford Focus, walking to a BMW, and handing a package through the window to Piyadasa. Ruggles then returned to his vehicle and was stopped by officers as he travelled eastbound on the M4.

Piyadasa was stopped by officers in Swansea. A key to a further vehicle was located in Piyadasa’s BMW. Significant quantities of cocaine were found in the Ford Focus and the third vehicle, and Piyadasa was found to have a zip lock bag of cocaine on his person.

Mobile phone downloads showed communication between Ruggles and Piyadasa that was consistent with the supply of drugs.

The two men were sentenced today (August 8, 2025) at Swansea Crown Court following guilty pleas entered earlier in the year.

Lee Ruggles, of Barking, Barking and Dagenham, was sentenced to 9-years and 9-months in prison for conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug – cocaine.

Kian Piyadasa, of Birchgrove, Swansea was sentenced to 10-years and 8-months in prison for conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug – cocaine.

An officer from Tarian ROCU, said: “The sentences today should serve as a warning to others engaging in similar criminality. Tarian’s mission is to identify, disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups and individuals who cause the most harm to our region. Those supplying drugs make considerable profits from the suffering of others, and we will continue to pursue them.”