Drug Dealer Must Pay Back £12k After Making £70k from Crime

A drug dealer who was caught red-handed in a Pontypool bookies has been ordered to pay back nearly £12,000 after making more than £70,000 from his crimes 💰

James Hallett, 34, of Fair View, Pengam, Blackwood, was back in court for a proceeds of crime hearing where it was revealed he had profited by £71,171.16 from his illegal activities.

The defendant was originally arrested in Betfred on Osborne Road in Pontypool town centre, where police then searched his Range Rover Evoque SUV and discovered drugs worth nearly £20,000.

Prosecutor Dan Jones told the court that officers found packages of amphetamine with a street value of around £16,000, plus high purity cocaine and cannabis worth £3,500 and £150 respectively in the defendant’s boot. Police also seized £5,000 in cash.

Hallett has £11,939.82 in available assets which he must hand over or face nine months in prison.

The court heard that Hallett had 19 previous convictions for 30 offences and was jailed for six years in 2021 for being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession with intent to supply heroin. The recent offences were committed whilst he was subject to licence conditions.

Recorder David Warner told the defendant: “Drugs bring misery to users, they bring misery to the families of users and they bring misery to society. This was the trafficking of misery and you were heavily involved in it. You were carrying a very significant amounts of drugs and this was a significant role that you were playing. You were on licence at the time after being convicted of supplying class A drugs in 2020.”

Hallett admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession with intent to supply amphetamine, possession with intent to supply cannabis and possession of criminal property. The learner driver also pleaded guilty to driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance.

He was jailed for four years and four months at Cardiff Crown Court in 2024.