‘Paranoid and threatening’ Tredegar man handed seven-year prison sentence
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A jury heard how Andrew Llewellyn made at least £350,000 from supplying class-A drugs.
A ‘paranoid, threatening and controlling’ drug supplier has been sentenced to seven years behind bars after officers found evidence of drug offences on a mobile phone.
Following an eight-day trial at Swansea Crown Court in June, a jury found Andrew Llewellyn, 36, guilty of being concerned in the supply of class-A drugs (cocaine).
The offences date back to 2020, when Llewellyn, of Nantybwch, was found to be sending threatening messages to his down-stream dealer demanding more money.
The jury heard how, during this time, Llewellyn and his associate bought a hydraulic press with the intention of packaging kilos of cocaine.
PC Ryan Hagan, officer in the case, said:
"Since pleading not guilty, Llewellyn's shown no remorse or accountability for his heinous and cowardly actions.
"Throughout the trial, he attempted to minimise his offending and even blame his associates.
"Following a thorough investigation by our serious and organised crime team, we've been able to put forward compelling evidence linking him to the sale of cocaine in the Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly boroughs.
"With evidence linking him to organised crime groups, both in the UK and abroad, and a video showing a hydraulic press at his address, we're pleased that this sentence will ensure a threatening and controlling person who preyed on the vulnerable is off Gwent streets for years to come."
Among the messages read out to the jury included a string of screenshots of Gwent Police social media posts about drug raids, messages saying his ‘blood was boiling’ that his dealer was taking too long to return money, and messages about Operation Venetic – a nationwide law enforcement operation against serious and organised crime and the takedown of a bespoke encrypted global communication service used exclusively by criminals.
"The messages we found,” added PC Hagan, “demonstrate how manipulative and intimidating Llewellyn is, preying on people's vulnerabilities to deepen his pockets, but also show how paranoid he was of being caught.
“He repeatedly told his dealer to be careful of what he was messaging, telling him to delete messages, all the while demanding he operated at more places and recover debts owed.
“This was a lucrative partnership, with the drug expert at court, DC Michael Coles, estimating that Llewellyn made at least £350,000 from the supply of class-A drugs.
“We want Gwent to be a hostile environment for organised criminals, and this significant sentence demonstrates our officers are working relentlessly to bring down those causing misery in our communities.”
Today, Llewellyn was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment at Newport Crown Court.
He will also be subject to a proceeds of crime act hearing later this year.