64-year-old drug dealer sent to jail
A 64-YEAR-OLD drug dealer has been jailed for seven years after officers found thousands of pounds’ worth of cocaine in a safe.
Thomas Hughes, from Porthcawl, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday for possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A, cocaine, and money laundering.
Officers seized £30,000 in cash from a property being rented by Hughes along with 800g of cocaine which has an estimated street value of between £32,000 and £80,000.
His accountant Joanne HughesBassett, 45, of Porthcawl, received a suspended sentence of 14 months for a money laundering offence. They both pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.
The drugs and money were found in a safe inside a property rented by Hughes, during raids carried out as part of Operation Delta.
It was an operation that saw officers from the Organised Crime Unit in Bridgend and Porthcawl Neighbourhood Policing Team, carry out drugs raids at three address in Porthcawl on March 23 last year.
Hughes was arrested and messages on his phone revealed conversations between him and Hughes-Bassett. The messages showed the accountant was attempting to buy a property in Porthcawl which Hughes would then rent from her.
Hughes-Bassett was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and in interview disclosed that Hughes had given her a large sum of cash.
A search was carried out at her home in Porthcawl in April, where officers found £40,000 in a box which was in a cabinet in the hallway.
The pair will be subject to a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing in the next few months.
After sentencing, Acting Detective Chief Inspector Dean Taylor said: “The sentence is a positive result and sends out a clear message to those involved in this type of criminality that we will take action against them. Drug dealing will not be tolerated.
“I urge anyone who has any information on drug supply to call 101 or alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”