Tobacco Smuggler Jailed After Cocaine Dealing Exposed

A man caught with counterfeit tobacco in his car has been jailed after police discovered he was also dealing cocaine to pay off his brother’s debts 📦⚖️

Kieran Pritchard, 33, from Heol y Gaer, Llanybydder, Carmarthenshire, was stopped by officers on December 29, 2023, whilst driving between Llandysul and Pencader. Police found 73 packages of what appeared to be Golden Virginia and Amber Leaf tobacco in his Vauxhall Astra, which turned out to be counterfeit.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Pritchard told officers he was “buying tobacco cheaply from overseas and selling it on at a profit, making £5 per pack.”

A subsequent search of his home uncovered cocaine, empty bags, weighing scales, and £29,000 in cash. Analysis of his phones revealed he had been involved in cocaine supply over the previous 18 months.

David Singh, prosecuting, told the court that Pritchard had “turned to dealing as he felt ‘obliged’ to pay debts owed by his brother following his incarceration.” The defendant said he had bought the cocaine “from a lorry driver” to be sold on at a profit.

Kate Williams, defending, said: “He believed he was doing the right thing” and argued it was unlikely Pritchard would have become involved had he not felt obliged to pay off his brother’s debts. She added that immediate incarceration would have a significant impact on his young daughter.

However, Recorder Christopher Felstead said he was sorry for the impact on Pritchard’s daughter but told the defendant “that was something he had brought on himself when he chose to get involved in Class A drug dealing.”

Pritchard pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply counterfeit tobacco, possession of cocaine with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and possession of criminal property. He has no previous convictions.

With a one-quarter discount for his guilty pleas, Pritchard was sentenced to 40 months in prison. He will serve up to half that sentence in custody before being released on licence.

A proceeds of crime investigation will now be launched into the defendant’s finances.