A “GANGSTER” mum who led a hidden double-life as the “godmother” of a drug empire has finally been snared after 16 months on the run.
Farmer’s wife Lynne Leyson, 52, was a fugitive from justice and on the Most Wanted list over a secret cocaine gang operating at her countryside farm.
Fleeing a cocaine dealing rap, middle-aged Leyson hadn’t been seen by police since skipping bail more than a year ago.
But cops today revealed she was once again caught after being spotted at the farm in quiet Capel Dewi, Carmarthenshire, where she based her crime ring.
The force said Leyson was arrested at Pibwr Farm on Monday having returned to the area on Sunday evening.
Police said she had been “travelling extensively across the UK during her 16 months on the run”.
Detective Chief Inspector Rhys Jones, who led the search, said it sent a “strong message” to organised crime gangs.
He said: “The arrest shows our determination to find those who think they can evade justice.
“I would like to thank officers for their commitment, dedication, support and persistence in bringing this element of the investigation to a successful conclusion.
“I would like to thank members of the public for their assistance and information provided over the last 16 months – which has been greatly appreciated.
“This will send a strong message that the activities of those individuals linked to Organised Crime Groups operating within the area of Dyfed Powys will not be tolerated and that they will be brought to justice.”
Crimestoppers offered a wanted reward of up to £1,000 for Leyson.
Neighbours thought she was a respectable country mum – but she was the “godmother” of family crime gang supplying multi-kilo quantities of cocaine and cannabis to dealers from the isolated smallholding.
Her hubby Stephen Leyson and his son Samson were jailed for a total of 17 years in July after the farm was raided by police.
But Leyson vanished before she was due in court to face justice – and was sentenced by a judge in her absence.
They said the mother was a “dominant force” who played a “leading role” in the drugs enterprise.
The court heard officers targeted Pibwr Farm, near Capel Dewi, Carmarthenshire, in the early hours of October 27, 2021.
They recovered over £60,000 of cocaine, £15,615 of cannabis, a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and cash – which they claimed was from a “house sale.”
In a Proceeds of Crime hearing, Ieuan Rees, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court both Stephen and Lynne benefited from their criminal lifestyle to the tune of £77,967.
Investigators have identified available assets in respect of Stephen in the sum of £33,147 and in respect of Lynne in the sum of £26,442.
Samson benefited 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 made confiscation orders in the available sums for the three Leysons and gave them three months to pay or face additional jail time.
The judge said she was “quite sure” Leyson would be arrested and brought before a court “at some point”.
She was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis and possessing criminal property.
She was jailed for nine years in her absence.
After the case, one neighbour said: “We just couldn’t believe it.
“They seemed like a normal farming family, well a bit rough around the edges like a lot of country people.
“Lynne seemed very normal really – not a cocaine dealer like she was. It is all very odd.”
She was believed to be using the false name of Annelyn Caldicot.
Leyson appeared at Swansea Crown Court this morning where she was committed to prison to start her sentence.
She will next appear at the same court on October 4.
A 26-year-old female was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
She has been released on police bail pending further police enquiries.
