2 weeks Ago
A 67-YEAR-OLD man was caught trafficking cocaine worth up to £420,000 in to south Wales from Merseyside. Bernard Jones’ van was stopped by police on the A4067 at Ystalyfera on September 21. Inside, officers found a 1.
1kg block of what was later confirmed to be cocaine. Upon searching the vehicle further, another 11 blocks of cocaine were found concealed underneath a panel in the back of the van. The defendant was arrested and his mobile phone was seized.
He answered no comment to all questions in interview. Francesca Parry, prosecuting, said the 1.1kg block of cocaine would be worth between £27,000 and £35,000 when sold on the streets, whilst the total value of the 12 blocks could be between £324,000 and £420,000.
Jones, of Naylorsfield Drive in Liverpool, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine on a basis that he had been paid £300 to deliver 1kg of cocaine to an address in Swansea and was unaware of the other 11kgs of drugs stashed in the car. This basis of plea was accepted by the prosecution. “The defendant was aware he was transporting a kilo of cocaine,” Ms Parry said.
“That still has a value of £35,000”. James McKenna, in mitigation, said Jones was previously of clean character and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. “The defendant is a very unwell man.
He has recently been admitted in to hospital at the prison. “He is a gentleman who has suffered from a stroke and has full time care.” “And yet a month ago he was able to drive from Liverpool to south Wales,” Judge Paul Thomas KC noted.
“It is hoped that this defendant is going to survive this sentence. He is an unwell man,” Mr McKenna continued. “His time will be difficult within the prison environment.
” Mr McKenna added that Jones had written a letter to the court praising how the police and prison staff had been towards him. Sentencing Jones, Judge Thomas said: “Your cargo is valued well in excess of £300,000. This is no small operation.
“Drug dealers involved in that sort of quantity do not entrust it to just anyone. “Your protestations of naivety about the whole affair ring a little hollow.” Jones was jailed for four years and four months.
Judge Thomas ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the cannabis, and for the defendant’s mobile phone and the van to be seized..
