Drug dealer caught with cocaine and customer debt messages

A serial drug dealer was caught with cocaine and incriminating phone messages from customers asking how much they owed him.

Liam Key, 23, from Gilfach Goch, was discovered by police on 24 September last year during the arrest of another man. Officers found him waiting in his silver Volkswagen Golf after he sent a text saying “I’m out by the gate”.

Cardiff Crown Court heard on Tuesday that when questioned about why he was at the property, Key gave “a number of different conflicting accounts”. Prosecutor Martha Smith-Higgins said the defendant was “nervous and shaking” and was subsequently searched.

Inside the Golf, police recovered a cling film bag containing 1.04g of cocaine and a black iPhone. Examination of the device revealed Key was involved in supplying cocaine and cannabis between August and September last year.

The court heard Key had arranged to supply at least 17 customers, with deals organised at prices reaching up to £380. Arrangements were also made for payments to be made “on tick”.

When one customer asked how much he owed, Key responded £510. He told another customer they owed £650.

A search resulted in the seizure of 23.9g of cocaine, more than £4,500 in cash, weighing scales, and cling film bags.

Key, of Heol y Mynydd, Hendreforgan, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, and possession with intent to supply cocaine. He has two previous convictions, including an offence of possession with intent to supply cannabis, for which he received a suspended prison sentence.

In mitigation, Stephen Thomas said his client had been in full-time employment for a number of years, but will inevitably lose his job as a result of his conviction. The barrister also said the defendant comes from a supportive family.

Key was sentenced to a total of 36 months imprisonment.