Drug dealer caught by police plane during Newport operation

A Cwmbran man has been jailed for two and a half years after being caught dealing drugs by a police plane during an operation targeting illegal off-road bikes.

Joshua Watkins, 23, was arrested on Edward German Crescent in the Ringland area of Newport at around 6pm on Tuesday, September 2, after officers on the ground were assisted by the National Police Air Service.

The defendant threw a Nike bag over a wall before being detained following a chase. Inside the bag, officers found 11.29g of cocaine, 112.7g of cannabis and cash. The drugs had a potential street value of between £1,820 and £2,180.

A subsequent search of Watkins’ home uncovered more money, a samurai sword and a Dior bag. Newport Crown Court heard how the defendant had recently undergone expensive dental work done in Turkey.

Watkins, of Michael Thacker Court, St Dials, Cwmbran, admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession with intent to supply cannabis and possession of criminal property. He had no previous convictions.

Defence barrister William Bebb told the court: “He’s remorseful and understands the harm and impact drugs have on the wider community. The defendant was taking both drugs at the time. There was an involvement through naivety and immaturity. The defendant was on the front line getting his hands dirty.”

Mr Bebb asked the court to take into account his client’s early guilty pleas.

Judge Carl Harrison told Watkins: “This court regularly sees the harm caused by class A drugs in Newport. It causes misery and blights communities. There was an expectation of significant financial advantage. Your offending is also aggravated by the fact that there were two different types of drug.”

The defendant was jailed for two years and six months and must pay a £228 victim surcharge following his release halfway through his sentence.

At the time of Watkins’ arrest, Gwent Police Inspector Roland Giles said: “I want to reassure residents that we’re listening to your concerns and are acutely aware of the impact that the illegal use of off-road bikes can have on our communities. Yesterday’s operation was our first in Newport involving a manned National Police Air Service crew to help us identify and tackle off-road bikes being driven in an anti-social manner. It demonstrated outstanding work between officers on the ground and NPAS and we will continue to carry out regular operations like this, using a range of tactics, to keep our communities safe from harm.”