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When Acid Reigned: The Story of Operation Julie

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25/03/2017

BBC Radio Wales - When Acid Reigned: The Story of Operation Julie

Charles Williams tells the story of Operation Julie, the UK's biggest ever drugs bust.

Charles Williams discovers how a Welsh village was at the heart of a global LSD ring, which lead to Operation Julie, the biggest drugs bust in British history.

On the 40th anniversary of Operation Julie, Charles Williams discovers how a Welsh village was at the heart of a global LSD ring which was blown apart by the biggest drugs bust in British history. Like a real-life Breaking Bad character, a university chemist set up a global LSD manufacturing and distribution network - and it was based in Llanddewi Brefi. 

The plot was only uncovered after a fatal road accident in Machynlleth, when a tiny fragment of drugs evidence was found. The subsequent police investigation - Operation Julie - involved 11 police forces, who arrested 120 people and seized enough LSD for 6.5 million doses. Charles explores the story from both sides - from the police who went undercover as hippies to the members of the drug ring who were thought to have been supplying up to 90% of the UK's market in LSD.

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