‘GANGLAND’ SHOOTING
POLICE PROBE DRUGS GANG CONNECTION AFTER MAN SHOT IN THE FACE IN ALLEGED MURDER BID AT CITY FLATS
A MAN was shot in the face by attackers wearing boiler suits at a Cardiff flat in what has been described as an “extremely rare level of violence” for the city.
The 26-year-old man, from Ipswich, was taken to hospital after the alleged attempted murder at a flat in the Roath area of the city last month.
Police were called to a flat in Lynwood Court, Elm Street, on Saturday, February 10.
A burned-out car linked to the attack was later discovered dumped in nearby Sandringham Road.
It had driven from London to Cardiff on the morning of the attack.
Officers have said the incident is believed to be related to drug activity that crosses county lines.
They are appealing for information on three men who were seen trying to enter the flat at around 7pm on the Saturday and then running out soon after.
They are all described as being black, around 25 years old, and wearing navy boiler suits and black boots.
One of them, who was around 6ft tall, was also wearing a distinctive black and white paw print bandana around his face.
The two other men are shorter – between 5ft 3ins and 5ft 6ins.
It is also being linked to activity at two properties in Roath and Penylan yesterday.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Rob Cronick, from the Major Crime Investigation Team at South Wales Police, said: “This is an extremely rare level of violence for south Wales and a full investigation is underway to identify and arrest those responsible.
“We are appealing for information on the identity of the three men we believe are responsible but also for information regarding a silver Audi A4 estate car, registration number CV53 ZNU.
“This vehicle is seen on CCTV driving around the Elm Street area of Roath before driving away from the scene after the incident occurs. It was later found burned out in Sandringham Road, Penylan.
“We know this vehicle travelled from London to Cardiff on the morning of Saturday, February 10. We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen this vehicle and its occupants at any time on that Saturday.
“Two green petrol containers were found inside the car – did they buy these in Cardiff or somewhere else on the way? We would like to hear from anyone with information which may help our inquiries.”
As part of the ongoing investigation officers yesterday searched two flats in Penylan and Roath. A 28-year-old man was arrested in the Kimberly Road property for an unconnected immigration matter. There were no arrests at Claude Road.
Detectives believe the incident in Lynwood Court is linked to so-called ‘county lines.’ County lines is when an organised crime group from an area such as London, Birmingham or Liverpool extends their drug-dealing enterprise across boundaries.
They often use young people or vulnerable adults to deliver their drugs, coercing them with payment or gifts or by forcing them through intimidation and violence.
Superintendent Steve Murray added: “Cardiff is one of the safest cities in the UK and it is important we keep it that way by dealing very firmly with anyone who brings a gun into our capital.
“We are working hard to make south Wales a hostile environment for organised crime groups and we need the community to be our eyes and ears and report any suspicious activity.”
Anyone with information regarding the Lynwood Court incident is asked to contact South Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference number *051129.