The leader of an Organised Crime Group (OCG) operating from the Cardiff area has been sentenced today, becoming the final defendant to be sentenced as part of Operation Vermont, a complex investigation into the large-scale supply of Class A drugs into southern Wales.
The investigation, led by Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) for southern Wales, uncovered a sophisticated criminal network responsible for sourcing, transporting and distributing multi-kilogram quantities of Class A drugs across southern Wales.
Investigators established that Khalid Ali Ege, aged 50, of no fixed address, directed an OCG operating from the Cardiff area. The group sourced Class A drugs from organised crime networks in the North West of England and the West Midlands before supplying and distributing the drugs throughout southern Wales.
Evidence showed that Ege travelled to meet criminal associates in Merseyside and the West Midlands, while also arranging meetings with co-conspirators in the Cardiff area. He further organised and hosted high-end hospitality events for senior members of the conspiracy, including attendance at a boxing event at London’s O2 Arena.
The Liverpool-based co-conspirators were linked to a drugs laboratory in the Birkenhead area and sourced laboratory equipment and cutting agents from a supplier in China. These materials were used to process and adulterate illicit drugs before onward distribution. Ege then arranged for couriers to transport the drugs from England into southern Wales for further distribution.
A total of 32 co-conspirators have previously been sentenced as part of the investigation. Their sentencings took place between November 2022 and April 2023, resulting in a combined total of over 256 years’ imprisonment.
Following the arrests of his co-conspirators, Ege fled the UK in December 2019 in an attempt to evade justice. He remained a fugitive for six years before being detained in Paraguay in December 2025.
Following his arrest, he was transferred to Spain in the custody of National Crime Agency (NCA) officers before being extradited to the UK on January 8, 2026.
Ege was subsequently charged with being concerned in the production and supply of Class A drugs, namely cocaine and amphetamine.
Today (August 10), at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, Khalid Ali Ege was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Detective Inspector Andrew Gibbins, of Tarian ROCU, said: “Operation Vermont has been one of the largest and most complex investigations into the supply of illicit drugs ever undertaken by Tarian ROCU.
“The investigation resulted in the arrest and conviction of a significant number of individuals operating across Wales, England and Scotland, and involved extensive collaboration with policing and law enforcement partners both within the UK and overseas. This included two extraditions from Spain and international enquiries spanning China and South America.
“Today’s sentence marks the conclusion of a lengthy investigation and demonstrates our determination to pursue those involved in organised criminality, no matter how far they travel or how long they seek to evade justice.
“Tarian remains committed to identifying, disrupting and bringing to justice those responsible for causing harm to our communities. Whether you are directing an organised crime group, supplying drugs, producing them, transporting them, or carrying out any other role within a criminal network, we will pursue every available line of enquiry to hold you accountable for your actions.
“The significant sentences handed down throughout Operation Vermont reflect the scale of the criminality involved and our unwavering commitment to protecting communities across southern Wales.”
