Royston Parris (Image: South Wales Police)
Last Updated: January 12, 2026
A Cardiff man whose nervous behaviour caught police attention has been jailed after officers discovered messages on his phone detailing large-scale drug deals worth tens of thousands of pounds.
Police became concerned about Royston Parris’s driving in Cardiff on 16th May last year. The 42-year-old initially failed to stop but eventually pulled over in Gabalfa, where officers immediately noticed something was amiss.
Parris appeared visibly nervous during questioning and seemed to be concealing items inside his vehicle. When officers searched the car, they found cash, a small quantity of cannabis, and a mobile phone.
Although the defendant was reluctant to provide his PIN number, police eventually accessed the device – and what they discovered painted a picture of serious wholesale drug supply operations.
The phone contained multiple messages and voice notes dealing with the supply of heroin and cocaine, along with images of blocks of white powder marked “USA”. Discussions on the device related to cannabis dealing, but the most significant messages revealed plans to purchase a kilogram of cocaine for £30,000 and 1.5kg of heroin for £19,000.
The phone evidence led officers to conduct a further search, which uncovered 20g of cocaine, a large quantity of adulterants, weighing scales containing cocaine residue, a note counter, and zip lock bags.
At Cardiff Crown Court on Monday, the hearing was told that Parris, of West Close, Butetown, had seven previous convictions, including offences involving class A drugs.
Defence barrister Matthew Cobbe explained there were “complicated circumstances” surrounding his client’s family and mental health situation. The court heard Parris had stated: “Following his release from prison, he still hadn’t kicked his habit and found himself having to provide for his family. His habit was heavy and harmful and had a devastating impact on his personal and business life.”
The barrister told the court that Parris had been “dragged back into easy and familiar ways”, which led to him carrying out smaller and then progressively bigger jobs in relation to drug supply. Since being remanded in custody, Parris is now reported to be clean and attempting to break his cycle of drug use.
Parris pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and possession with intent to supply class B drugs.
Judge Lucy Crowther sentenced him to a total of seven years imprisonment.
