Drug dealer jailed for “super saver” cocaine texts

A drug dealer who sent out a bulk text message advertising a one-day-only “super saver” discount on cocaine deals has been jailed.

Stephen Burke sent the message to multiple contacts on March 23, 2024, slashing the price of deals from £40 to £30 but warning the offer was only available until midnight. He urged customers: “Get your orders in asap”.

Burke was arrested at 11:45pm on April 3, 2024, when police stopped his car on Newton Road in Mumbles because of the manner it was being driven. Checks revealed Burke was a disqualified driver, and when officers searched the vehicle they discovered seven bags of 82 per cent pure cocaine weighing just over 3.5 grams, along with £80 in cash and two mobile phones.

Burke, of Cae Morfa, Sandfields, Port Talbot, was taken to Swansea Central police station where he answered “no comment” to all questions during his interview. He was released under investigation whilst the contents of his phones were examined.

Analysis of the devices uncovered messages relating to cocaine supply spanning three months, including price lists and promotional bulk texts sent to numerous recipients. In various messages, Burke complained about customers not paying and reminded them he needed cash and didn’t do “tick” (credit). In another exchange, he asked a contact if he could borrow £8,000 to purchase new supplies, promising to repay the sum “in a few days”.

The Crown Prosecution Service issued a charging decision in March last year, though Burke wasn’t formally charged until October – a six-month delay the prosecution said they couldn’t explain.

Burke had previously pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of cocaine when he appeared at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing. He has previous convictions for simple possession of cocaine and cannabis, plus a 2023 drug-driving offence which led to his disqualification and ultimately his arrest.

Defence barrister Steve Burnell told the court his client initially began selling drugs to fund his own use and “matters escalated” from there. Burke had worked as a restaurant chef but suffered serious leg injuries in summer 2025 when he tried to stop a runaway horse.

Sentencing Burke, Judge Catherine Richards said: “Class A drugs ruin the lives of individuals and families and ruin the communities in which we all live.” She added that she was certain when he chose to involve himself in cocaine supply, he would have known the kind of sentence he faced if caught.

With a one-third discount for his guilty pleas, Burke was sentenced to 28 months in prison. He will serve 40 per cent of the sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.