Drug dealer to repay £30k of £192k criminal benefit

A Beddau man who made nearly £200,000 from cocaine dealing will only have to hand back a fraction of his ill-gotten gains after a court ruled he doesn’t have the assets to cover the full amount.

Conor Holt, 26, came to police attention in January last year following the arrests of two associates who pointed officers toward his involvement in the cocaine trade.

The raid

When police searched Holt’s home on Heol Undeb, they uncovered clear evidence of a drug supply operation – plastic wrappings, grip seal bags filled with white powder, substantial quantities of dried mushrooms and cannabis, along with other distribution paraphernalia.

Officers discovered approximately £6,850 in cash at the property, plus assorted valuables suggesting ongoing trafficking activity. A further £250 was recovered from the passenger door of Holt’s vehicle during a separate search.

Court proceedings

Holt admitted four charges – possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession of criminal property, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and possession of cannabis.

Last May, Cardiff Crown Court handed him a five-year and three-month prison sentence.

Detective Inspector Ian Jones commented at the time: “This case highlights the organised nature of drug supply operations and our efforts to combat such criminal activities in the Pontypridd area.”

Financial reckoning

At a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing on Monday, Cardiff Crown Court heard prosecutors calculate Holt’s criminal benefit at £192,676.

However, investigators could only trace available assets worth £32,316.

Judge Paul Hobson ordered Holt to pay the available sum within three months, with a nine-month prison term in default if he fails to comply.