Drug dealer jailed after ‘I smoke that in a day’ claim

A Bristol man has been jailed for more than three years after being caught with thousands of pounds worth of drugs near Narberth.

Austin Hockey, 32, was stopped by police on a roundabout just outside Narberth, Pembrokeshire, on December 1, 2023. Officers searched his vehicle and backpack, discovering substantial quantities of illegal substances.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that police seized two bags of cannabis weighing 81g and 29g, 80 small MDMA tablets, and 2C-B tablets. When officers questioned him about the amount of drugs found, Hockey made the remarkable claim: “I smoke that in a day.”

Prosecutor Alexandra Wilson told the court the MDMA tablets were worth between £328 and £1,040, the cannabis was valued at £1,370, and the 2C-B tablets were valued at £840. Messages on Hockey’s seized phones revealed he had been advertising MDMA and different strains of cannabis in “text bombs”. The court heard he received £171,000 into his bank account during the offending period.

Hockey, of Acrebush Close, Bristol, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A and B drugs, and possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs. He has no previous convictions.

Judge Paul Hobson sentenced Hockey to three years and four months imprisonment.