Two Swindon drug dealers who attempted to hide a significant cocaine operation behind everyday routines have been handed lengthy prison sentences following a detailed investigation by Wiltshire Police.
Donna Midgeley, 32, and Jordan Williams, 35, both of Longstock Court in Eastleaze, were jailed after officers uncovered their involvement in supplying cocaine across Swindon and North Wiltshire.
The investigation, led by the force’s Serious Organised Crime Unit and known as Operation Scoria, began in May 2022 after officers observed a suspected drug exchange in the Aldi car park on Mead Way.
Williams was seen meeting Malcolm Dennis, 50, of Haydon End, who was later observed supplying an ounce of cocaine to taxi driver Daniel Wells, 43, of Wroughton. Both men were stopped and arrested shortly afterwards.
Unbeknown to them, the transaction had been captured on Wells’ internal taxi dashcam. Dennis and Wells were later charged and received suspended prison sentences after admitting drugs offences.
Police then turned their attention to Midgeley and Williams, who were in a relationship at the time. Officers quickly identified a pattern of behaviour, with the pair believed to be carrying out multiple drug deals most evenings after finishing work.
Investigators also identified a self-storage unit rented by Midgeley. Officers witnessed the pair transporting a filing cabinet into the unit, raising further suspicions.
Search warrants were executed on 13 October 2022, leading to the arrest of both suspects and searches of their home and the storage unit.
At the Eastleaze address, officers recovered individual wraps of cocaine along with a substantial quantity of cash. The storage unit itself contained only the filing cabinet, inside which police found Midgeley’s work uniform, scales, gloves and more than 750 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of between £50,000 and £75,000.
Forensic work later linked Williams to the drugs through fingerprints recovered from the packaging.
Both Midgeley and Williams pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine. At Swindon Crown Court on Monday (15 December), Williams was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison, while Midgeley received a sentence of four years and three months.
Detective Sergeant Hilton, from the Serious Organised Crime Unit, said the case was driven by greed.
“Both had full-time jobs and a home, yet chose to work together supplying large quantities of cocaine across Swindon and North Wiltshire,” he said. “They attempted to distance themselves from the drugs by using a storage unit, but keeping cocaine alongside Midgeley’s uniform and name badge left them little room to argue.”
Police will now pursue the recovery of assets, including vehicles and property, under Proceeds of Crime legislation.
DS Hilton added that public information remains vital. “Drug dealing will always draw police attention, but we rely heavily on information from the community. Even the smallest detail can help us build a case.”
