Thomas Daley thought he could hide his drug dealing operation by sending bulk text messages to nearly 100 people at a time – but specially trained detectives caught him using mobile phone forensic techniques.
The 23-year-old, from Burnham Avenue, Llanrumney, would send messages like ‘Live Tt B ..5 20 W .5 20 Ful Gram 40’ to advertise that he had cocaine for sale at £40 per gram.
Officers from the Cardiff and Vale Organised Crime team noticed bulk drug-related messages being sent by Daley’s phone to a device they were investigating for another matter. They linked the drugs line to Daley and placed him at Countisbury Avenue at a specific time, using local CCTV footage to identify him.
On October 10, plain clothed officers spotted Daley leaving his girlfriend’s house and arrested him. He was found in possession of crack cocaine and heroin concealed in his underpants.
Detectives proved that between June 15 and September 17, Daley sent a total of 3,446 bulk messages advertising drugs.
He appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday, November 10, where he pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine and heroin, and possessing crack cocaine and heroin with intent to supply.
Daley was jailed for three years at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, November 20.
Detective Constable Adam Fenlon said: “Drug dealers try to hide their activities and will always try to evade officers but we will exploit every opportunity available to us. This work often takes patience and perseverance but we will do what is necessary to ensure those who deal drugs are arrested and put before the courts.”
