City ‘dealer’s dealer’ was caught out in cocaine offer

A MAN described as “a dealer’s dealer” was found to be offering to supply cocaine after messages were discovered on a customer’s phone by police.

He was previously jailed for running a drugs line with his brother, selling crack cocaine and cannabis.

Levy Timmins, 29, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in 2021 but upon being released from prison he fell back into drug-dealing, a sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court heard on Thursday.

Police seized an iPhone of a drug dealer on June 21 last year on which messages sent by Timmins were discovered.

Messages on the phone referred to the supply of cocaine, which they called “flake”.

In one message, Timmins said: “What are you paying? I can get 27s but don’t tell no one, how long will it take you? If it’s no good you can send it back.” In another message, he asked for the customer not to refer to him by his name, and told her he could make “18 a day”, meaning £18,000.

Prosecutor Rachel Knight said: “Timmins is a mid-level cocaine supplier, supplying low-end dealers who supply street deals to end users. He is essentially a dealer’s dealer. The amounts being discussed are mid-level range but he would have expected receipt of significant financial reward.”

Police attended the defendant’s address at Gaer Vale, Newport, but he wasn’t there.

Officers were let in by his sister and searched the property but found no drugs or paraphernalia. They seized Timmins’ phone and discovered the messages which had been sent to the other dealer.

He was interviewed but answered “no comment” to all questions.

Timmins later pleaded guilty to being concerned in an offer to supply cocaine.

The court heard he had previous convictions for handling stolen goods, possession with intent to supply heroin and cocaine, offering to supply crack cocaine and cannabis.

Ms Knight described the defendant as “a man steeped in drug-dealing.”

In mitigation, defence barrister Ben Waters said his client became involved in drug-dealing again because of his “reputation” and the fact he was known in his local area as a convicted drug dealer.

He said the defendant was messaged by people asking him if he was supplying drugs, and he initially “resisted temptation” due to his motivation to put his past behind him, but he relented.

Recorder Joanne Evans sentenced Timmins to four years’ imprisonment.

He will serve half the sentence in custody before being released on licence.