Cocaine dealer jailed after erratic driving in Briton Ferry

A cocaine dealer was jailed for 31 months after police in an unmarked car spotted him driving erratically and blocked his vehicle.

John Smith, 33, of Melyn Close, Penrhiwtyn, Neath, was already a banned driver when officers followed his Kia Ceed to flats in Briton Ferry on 23rd July this year.

Police seized two phones from Smith, and examination of the devices revealed messages relating to cocaine supply over the previous two weeks – with deal sizes ranging from 1.75g up to a quarter of an ounce.

The court heard Smith first came to police attention in October last year when he was caught speeding in an Audi TT in Llansamlet – despite being disqualified as a “totter” three months earlier at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court.

When officers stopped him again in Briton Ferry, an officer used his car to block Smith’s vehicle after concluding “due to the driver’s condition” he was unfit to drive. His passenger was found to be in possession of drugs.

Smith had previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, driving while disqualified, and driving with no insurance.

Defence solicitor Steve Burnell told Swansea Crown Court that the father-of-two had no previous convictions for drugs offences, but following deaths in the family he had started taking controlled substances and then selling them.

Judge Eugene Egan said Smith had been “brazenly driving while disqualified” and messages found on a burner phone showed his involvement in dealing Class A drugs.

Smith was sentenced to a total of 31 months in prison – comprising 30 months for the drugs offence and one month for driving while disqualified to run consecutively. He will serve up to half the sentence in custody before being released on licence. He was also disqualified from driving for 33 months.