Newport dealer jailed after luxury items seized in drug raid

Newport man Kane Rudge was caught living the high life from his drug dealing profits, with designer clothes and thousands in cash seized during a police raid 💰👟

The 28-year-old dealer was found with a Rolex watch, £650 Armani shoes, £645 Dior trainers, Burberry sliders and Palm Angels swimming shorts worth £359 when officers searched his Yewberry Lane home two months ago.

Police discovered 25g of cocaine worth around £2,500, 137.5g of cannabis valued at £1,710, and nearly £6,000 in cash during the raid.

Rudge’s downfall came when police linked him to a drugs line, with CCTV footage showing him topping up phones used for dealing. Snapchat evidence revealed he was sending mass texts to potential customers and discussing his illegal business with other criminals.

He pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession with intent to supply cannabis and possession of criminal property. The offences occurred between September 12, 2024 and March 14.

The court heard Rudge has previous convictions for robbery and cannabis dealing, for which he had already served time.

His defence lawyer Clare Wilks said: “This was unsophisticated offending. The defendant has struggled with heavy use of cannabis over a number of years. He was spending £100 a day on cannabis alone at one point and was using cocaine on a recreational basis.”

Judge Carl Harrison told Rudge: “You were plainly enjoying a lavish lifestyle. These offences are aggravated by your previous convictions which have now escalated from dealing class B drugs to supplying those at class A.”

Rudge was sentenced to four years in prison and will serve half before being released on licence. He faces a proceeds of crime hearing on August 28 this year.