Cardiff Drug Dealer to Repay £2,000 of £200k Cocaine Operation

A Cardiff drug dealer who transported approximately £200,000 worth of cocaine between Birmingham and Cardiff has been ordered to repay just a fraction of his criminal earnings. 💼

Ethan Ernest, 30, was intercepted by police on the M50 in the West Midlands on April 14 while driving a Peugeot 308. The arrest came following intelligence from the regional organised crime unit in South Wales as Ernest was returning to Cardiff after a brief stop in Birmingham.

Officers discovered 248g of cocaine during a vehicle search, valued between £7,000 and £10,000, alongside 0.6g of cannabis and £2,210 in cash. Multiple mobile phones were also seized, and Ernest was found to be driving with an expired licence.

A subsequent search of his Grangetown residence uncovered additional electronic devices, drug paraphernalia including scales and grip seal bags, 12g of benzocaine, Versace cosmetics bags, and a flick knife.

Prosecutor Thomas Stanway told the court that Ernest had made 15 trips between Cardiff and Birmingham between July 2023 and March 2024, using four different vehicles. The prosecution estimated Ernest transported approximately 2kg of cocaine during these journeys, valued between £56,000 and £80,000 wholesale, with a potential street value reaching £200,000.

Ernest pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession of cannabis and criminal property, driving while disqualified, and driving without insurance and a licence. He received a prison sentence of seven years and two months last year.

At a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday, it was determined that while Ernest had benefited by £36,411 from his criminal activities, his available assets amounted to only £2,120. Judge Vanessa Francis ordered him to pay this sum within 28 days or face an additional month in prison. 🧑‍⚖️