Darren and Dre Lewis (Image: South Wales Police)
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Two brothers who ran a cocaine supply operation from their shared Port Talbot home have been jailed after police traced their activities through a seized mobile phone.
Darren Lewis, 30, and his younger brother Dre Lewis, 21, both of Henshaw Street, Port Talbot, were sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine. Darren Lewis also admitted possession of cocaine with intent to supply.
The raid
Emily Bennett, prosecuting, told the court that on January 22 officers executed a search warrant at the brothers’ address after information was uncovered from examining a drug dealer’s phone. Messages on the device had pointed investigators towards the property.
Darren Lewis answered the door when police arrived. A search of his bedroom uncovered 3.5g of cocaine in bags of white powder, a quantity of cash, a mobile phone, and a set of weighing scales. He was arrested and told officers he “sorts his mates out” and keeps what is left, adding it was not really dealing.
An examination of his phone revealed both incoming and outgoing drug-related messages, including ones connected to bulk purchases of cocaine.
Dre Lewis was found asleep in another bedroom. He was woken, and his phone was seized and examined before he too was arrested.
What they told police
In interview, Darren Lewis provided a prepared statement claiming he was a cocaine and cannabis user and that the drugs found in his room were for personal use.
Dre Lewis was more forthcoming, telling officers he knew his brother was dealing cocaine and had allowed him to use his phone. He also admitted counting money for his older brother on occasions, purchasing empty snap-grip bags for him, and chasing debts on his behalf.
What their lawyers said
Alycia Carpanini, representing Darren Lewis, said the former council refuse collector had been under “great pressure” for the past two years caring for his younger brother – giving him money, buying him clothes and food – and had turned to dealing as a result. She said her client was a heavy user of cocaine and cannabis but had told her he wants to “get back to what it was like before it all went wrong”.
Andrew Evans, for Dre Lewis, said his client had been “drifting into adulthood” without employment or real purpose but now recognised he needed to “change his ways if he is to become a productive member of society”. He described the siblings as having a “symbiotic relationship” and said Dre Lewis had assisted in his brother’s dealing operation in a limited way.
Previous convictions
Darren Lewis had three previous convictions for four offences, including simple possession of cannabis from 2015. Dre Lewis had no previous convictions.
Sentencing ⚖️
Judge Catherine Richards, applying one-third discounts for their guilty pleas, sentenced Darren Lewis to 32 months in prison and Dre Lewis to 20 months in prison. Both defendants will serve 40% of their sentences in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.
