Luke Montgomery (Image: Gwent Police)
Last Updated: 1 minute ago
A 23-year-old Newport man who concealed crack cocaine inside a nappy has been ordered to pay back more than £37,000 following a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing – despite profiting by almost £200,000 from drug dealing.
Luke Montgomery, of Highbank, Newport, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court where it was found he had benefited to the sum of £191,821 through his criminal activity. With realisable assets of just £37,449, Judge Paul Hobson ordered Montgomery to forfeit that amount – composed of funds already seized by officers.
The defendant had been sentenced to eight years and four months’ imprisonment at an earlier hearing this year after admitting a catalogue of drug supply and weapons offences.
The chase
Montgomery first came to the attention of police on September 26 last year, when officers responded to reports of a man armed with a knife close to Caerleon Road in Newport.
Upon spotting police, the defendant bolted on foot, at one point coming close to being struck by a passing car. An officer pursued Montgomery and aimed a taser at him as he repeatedly ignored instructions to stop and put his hands behind his back.
Body worn camera footage recorded the 23-year-old pulling wads of cash from his pockets, shouting: “I’ve got nothing on me” and “What have I done?”
The haul
Once Montgomery was detained and searched, officers uncovered a substantial cache of illegal substances – including 5.7kg of heroin, 239.8g of cocaine and 280g of cannabis. Some of the drugs had been concealed inside a nappy.
Police also recovered £37,000 in cash and several mobile phones. A machete that Montgomery had thrown away during the pursuit was discovered underneath a police vehicle.
Guilty pleas
Montgomery entered early guilty pleas to three counts of possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession of cannabis, possession of a knife and possession of criminal property.
Police response
Speaking after the case, Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Edwards of Gwent Police said: “Montgomery tried to evade our officers, but he could not escape from the sheer volume of his offending after he and his property were searched.
“Following his swift arrest, vast amounts of cash and 5.7kg heroin, 239.8g cocaine and 280g cannabis, including some stuffed into a nappy, were found by officers.
“When faced with overwhelming evidence gathered by the investigative team, Montgomery had nowhere to turn but to admit to these serious offences, resulting in the defendant entering early guilty pleas.
“It is disappointing to see any defendant back before the court so soon after their previous sentence was heard, but there can be no excuses for anyone who continues to offend while on licence.
“We’re grateful to the support of our communities whose valuable information helps us bring people who only seek to profit from the vulnerable by supplying drugs to justice.”
