Getty ImagesThree men have appeared in court accused of trafficking teenagers to Thailand as part of an international drug ring.
Levi Coomansingh, Patrick O’Driscoll and Gareth Press are charged with drug offences and conspiring to arrange the travel of another with a view to exploitation.
Cardiff Magistrates’ Court heard on Friday that the men are accused of using two teenage boys as drug couriers, after the youths were allegedly caught carrying 64kg (141lb) of cannabis “concealed within their suitcases” while trying to travel back to the UK.
The two 17-year-olds from Cardiff were arrested in Thailand in June and remain in custody, where they are being supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
On Friday evening, police announced that two more people – a man and a woman – have been charged in connection with the investigation.
Coomansingh, O’Driscoll and Press appeared in the dock together and spoke only to confirm their names, dates of birth and addresses. They were not asked to enter pleas.
All three are charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a Class B drug.
In addition, Coomansingh, 20, of Angelina Street, Cardiff, is charged with four counts of conspiring to arrange the travel of another with a view to exploitation.
O’Driscoll, 30, of Clos Y Rhiw, Cardiff, is also charged with four counts of the same charge as well as possession of a firearm.
Press, 42, of Wheatley Road, Cardiff, is charged with two counts of conspiring to arrange the travel of another with a view to exploitation.
Ffion Bowes-Cavanagh Hooley, 24, of Clos Y Rhiw, Cardiff, also appeared in court charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a Class B drug.
All four will appear at Cardiff Crown Court on 4 September.
Coomansingh, O’Driscoll and Press were remanded in custody, while Bowes-Cavanagh Hooley was released on conditional bail.
Police later announced that two 28-year-olds were also facing charges in relation to the case.
Tremaine Jeanne, from Llanrumney, Cardiff, and Jessica Sani, from Newport, have both been charged with conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a class B drug, as well as four counts each of conspiring to arrange or facilitate the travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
They are in police custody and are due to appear at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on 11 August.
Six people have now been charged in relation to the investigation, while another man, a 23-year-old from Keighley, West Yorkshire, who was arrested on suspicion of improper importation of controlled drugs, remains on police bail.
In June, South Wales Police was made aware that two teenagers had been arrested in Thailand and launched an investigation into the “circumstances” behind their trip.
A spokesman for South Wales Police said: “The children remain in custody in Thailand where they are being supported by their families and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
“The families have been updated regarding the arrests and charges.”
