Newport drug trio ordered to repay just £3,000 of £70k

Three men involved in a cocaine supply conspiracy across Newport have been ordered to repay just £3,000 between them, despite making more than £70,000 from their drug dealing operation.

Kaine Peterson, 26, Kurtis Peterson, 19, and Ryan Beirne, 31, were caught by Gwent Police after Kurtis sent “text bomb” messages offering to supply controlled drugs. The conspiracy ran between 1st September 2024 and 21st February 2025.

Police discovered messages between Kurtis and his brother Kaine directing him to various postcodes to either drop off drugs or collect cash. Messages between Kurtis and his girlfriend revealed the main part of his income came from drug dealing.

Prosecutor Josh Scouller told an earlier sentencing hearing: “Videos, messages and photographs were obtained from the mobile phones and all three defendants can be seen in the presence of, holding or sorting white powder or large amounts of cash.”

Cell site analysis showed all three defendants’ phones were located near their addresses in Lime Crescent, Newport. Messages between Beirne and Kaine indicated Beirne was storing cocaine at his home, with a video showing him holding a wad of cash.

When arrested at his Lime Crescent home, Kurtis Peterson was found with bags of white rock and powder, cash and scales whilst his girlfriend was present.

Beirne was arrested at another Lime Crescent address and was seen by police with his hands in the toilet bowl, attempting to flush white powder. He was found in possession of 6.7g of cocaine, mobile phones and weighing scales.

Kaine Peterson was arrested later whilst travelling in a car on Bedwas Road, Caerphilly.

The total amount of cocaine found in the defendants’ possession weighed 98.7g, worth £9,570.

All three pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply a class A drug. Kurtis Peterson was sentenced to 52 months in a young offenders institute, Kaine Peterson received 68 months imprisonment, and Beirne was jailed for 72 months.

At a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, the court heard Beirne benefited £54,614 from his offending but only had assets worth £355. Kurtis Peterson benefited £15,499 but only has assets worth £2,830. Kaine Peterson benefited £15,926 from his offending.

Judge Hobson ordered the defendants to pay their respective available sums, with Beirne to serve an additional one week imprisonment and Kurtis Peterson an additional two months if they fail to pay.

Kaine Peterson was ordered to pay £800 at a POCA hearing in November.