SUPERINTENDENT Nigel Russell led the Gwent Police side of the investigation.
Supt Russell said: "Chambers is an incredibly dangerous individual who posed a considerable threat because of his desire to import this level of drugs into the area, and maintained a veneer of respectability.
"Chambers owned the Hair Raisers salon in Pill and had an interest in a property development company, City Prop-erties."
These, Supt Russell said, were being used as "a front" for his illegitimate dealings.
Supt Russell said: "He also had the contacts to purchase the drugs in Guyana."
He said: "Barrows was involved in getting the drugs purchased in the Caribbean, and without his involvement the shipment would never have come into Newport."
Police were brought into assist the Customs-led operation because of the potential risk of firearms being used by the "dangerous" gang.
The warehouse in Spytty was subject to 24- hour surveillance for a number of weeks before the armed raid finally took place on June 7, 2003.
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