Gareth Bale protected by armed police as his fiancee's glamour model cousin 'disappears with a suitcase containing £1million in cash, drugs and watches amid a feud with a drugs gang'

25 September 2016 

Armed police have been stationed outside Gareth Bale’s hotel room in Spain after a spate of arson attacks against his fiancee’s family.

Cars belonging to the grandparents and aunt of Emma Rhys-Jones have been torched while petrol was poured through another aunt’s home in north Wales.

It is understood to be part of a feud with a drugs gang after Miss Rhys-Jones’ cousin Epiphany Dring – a former glamour model – disappeared allegedly carrying a suitcase full of £300,000 in cash, plus drugs and watches believed to make the full contents worth around £1million.

Gareth Bale, pictured with fiancee Emma Rhys-Jones, had armed guards posted outside his hotel room in Spain last night after his soon-to-be-wife's family was attacked in what appears to be a feud with a drugs gang over a 'missing suitcase of cash, drugs and watches' that disappeared alongside her glamour model cousin Epiphany Dring, right

The £86million footballer was staying at the Hotel Santa Catalina, pictured, in Gran Canaria

According to The Sun, three armed guards stood outside Bale’s room at the hotel Real Madrid were staying at ahead of a game in Gran Canaria.

A source told the paper: ‘There were three armed police posted outside the rooms, obviously there to make sure there were no unwanted visitors.

‘It was pretty extreme for such a luxury hotel, renowned for its old-fashioned charm.’

Miss Rhys-Jones is said to be ‘scared stiff’ that the couple’s £2million home in the Vale of Glamorgan could also be targeted, although police in Wales have spoken to them to reassure them.

Police confirmed two cars were burned in an arson attack in Flint, north Wales, on Wednesday – belonging to Miss Rhys-Jones’ aunt Annabella Williams, 55, while petrol was poured through her other aunt Jane Burns, also in Flint.

Two cars were torched, pictured, in an arson attack outside Miss Rhys-Jones aunt Annabella Williams' home in north Wales on Wednesday

Last week cars were also burned outside her grandparents home, pictured, in Cardiff

Ms Burns, mother of Miss Dring, said she had not seen her daughter for five weeks and that she had been staying with her grandparents John McMurray, 79, and wife Eva, 84 in Cardiff.

North Wales police have charged a 22-year-old man with criminal damage and arrested a 54-year-old woman on suspicion of making threats to kill. After Miss Dring vanished, cars outside the home were torched and bricks thrown through the window.

South Wales Police are investigating the arson in Cardiff, and neighbours have described it as a 'grudge attack' over a family dispute.

Both cars were taken away in a special 'anti-explosives' vehicle and undergoing forensic tests.

Rolex (left) and Kors (right) watches are believed to be among the valuable items also in the suitcase (file pictures)

Neighbours said they had not seen the couple recently and believe they have ‘gone into hiding’.

South Wales Police have confirmed they are investigating the incident and have stepped up patrols in the area. 

Meanwhile a family source told The Sun they fear the attacks won’t stop because of the missing money.

The source said: ‘People are wondering if they will target Gareth and Emma because they have money. No one knows where it will end.’

It is understood Miss Dring had left the country and police believe she could be in Malaysia.

Miss Rhys-Jones' father Martin, 52, is in jail in the US after admitting a £2million fraud scheme.