Ashley Jones (Image: South Wales Police)
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A 33-year-old man who used Snapchat to advertise cocaine to customers – claiming his prices could not be matched – has been sentenced to 32 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court.
Ashley Jones, of Bevans Terrace, Winch Wen, Swansea, had pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, and simple possession of cannabis. He had no previous convictions.
How Jones was caught
The case against Jones unravelled after officers arrested a dealer named Stewart Parker in Neath in February this year and seized his mobile phone. Analysis of the device showed Parker had been obtaining cocaine from multiple sources – among them phone numbers that were linked back to Jones.
Parker was subsequently jailed for three years in March this year for being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
The search
The following month, officers attended Jones’ address in Swansea. He told them there were “five or six grams” of cocaine inside his rucksack.
A search of his home and vehicle recovered a total of 15g of cocaine, 6g of cannabis, weighing scales, a mobile phone, and £155 in cash.
Snapchat evidence
Examination of the phone uncovered Snapchat exchanges between Jones and buyers in which he promoted what he was selling. In one message, he told a customer: “Prices won’t be beaten.”
Regan Walters, prosecuting, told the court that during his police interview Jones denied any involvement in drug supply, telling officers he “only sniffed it”. When questioned about the messages found on his device, he replied: “No comment.”
Defence
Jon Tarrant, representing Jones, told the court his client had been drawn into the drugs world through his local pub, where “he was served more than a pint” – a path that ultimately brought him before the court on trafficking charges.
The barrister described Jones’ remorse as “complete and tangible” and said he had a daughter, a stable relationship, his own business, and an “exceptionally strong family”. He added that while Jones had the benefit of an excellent pre-sentence report, the defendant understood he “cannot escape the sentencing guidelines”.
Sentencing
Judge Geraint Walters told Jones that those who participate in the supply of Class A drugs “cause untold damage”. He said the wickedness of the trade was that it “blights the lives of those who are addicted and blights communities where people have to see drug dealing on street corners”.
Jones received a 32-month prison sentence, which included a one-third reduction for his guilty pleas. He will serve up to half the term in custody before being released on licence to complete the remainder in the community.
