Dealer jailed after dad called police over cocaine

A drug dealer who was found with a rock of cocaine worth up to £6,120 has been jailed for three years after his own father contacted the police over concerns about his behaviour.

Father’s call to police

Luke Cable, 25, returned to his home in Brynmawr on February 24 but his father became worried he was under the influence of drugs. Believing his son had what appeared to be a rock of cocaine on him, the father called the police.

When officers arrived at the address, they could see white powder visible beneath Cable’s nose. He told them he had consumed a large amount of cocaine, that his “head was f*****”, and that he had been trying to pay off a debt.

Due to concerns for his welfare, he was taken to hospital, where he again spoke openly to officers.

“I am in debt, a lot of debt. I was trying to sell it but I sniffed a lot of it,” he said.

Cocaine and phone evidence

Following his arrest, Cable was found in possession of a white rock of cocaine and a mobile phone. Prosecutor Hannah Head told the court the phone had been downloaded and contained three sets of messages linked to the supply of cocaine.

The rock weighed a total of 46g and was valued at between £3,060 and £6,120.

Previous convictions

A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Wednesday heard Cable, of Clydach Street, Brynmawr, had three previous convictions, including an offence of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and ketamine, for which he received a jail sentence of 34 months.

He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a class A drug.

Mitigation and sentencing

In mitigation, Matthew Comer said his client was fully aware he had “done something stupid” and knew only a custodial sentence could be passed. The defence barrister added that Cable’s addiction to cocaine had “blighted his life” but he wanted to put it behind him and move on.

Sentencing, Recorder Dyfed Thomas issued a stark warning: “If you were to be convicted of a third class A offence, the starting point would be seven years. You better start understanding that if you came before this court again, if you were foolish or unwise enough to become involved in class A drugs again, the starting point would be seven years.”

Cable was sentenced to a total of three years imprisonment.