Crime in Powys: Brecon's 'biggest drug dealer' jailed

Cole Williams, 22, was first put under police investigation in March last year when he was found in possession of more than 40 grams of cocaine.

Despite coming to the attention of police he continued to offend and in July 2023 was found in possession of another 40g of the Class A drug after a road traffic collision.

He was also arrested by undercover officers in April this year and found with more cocaine.

Cole, of Brynawelon, Trecastle, previously entered guilty pleas to being concerned in supplying a Class A drug and possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply between March 23, 2023, and April 12, 2024.

He also admitted possessing a controlled drug of Class B on April 11 this year. Charges of driving with no insurance and no licence were also admitted.

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At Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Thursday, June 27, prosecutor Regan Walters said Williams was the passenger in a white BMW and searched after police were called to a disturbance in the Llanfaes area of Brecon on March 26, 2023.

“A package was found in the defendant’s underwear,” said Mr Walters.

“Police found £150 cash and 42.78g of cocaine, while cannabis was also recovered. From his address £655 in cash was found.”

Police next encountered Williams on July 4, 2023, after an uninsured Ford Fiesta he was driving crashed into the fence of a house on the A40 near Sennybridge.

“Officers found the defendant’s vehicle in a ditch, he said he lost control,” said Mr Walters.

“He said he’d smoked some cannabis that morning. He was searched and zip bags were found containing cocaine, which he said was for personal use."

After being taken to hospital and then into custody, officers returned to the scene of the crash early the next morning believing Williams had thrown an item in a hedge.

Police found bags and packages containing 4.17g, 12g, 22.8g and 2.66g of cocaine, plus 1.4g of cannabis and £310 cash. A later search of the car uncovered another £1,010 cash, and weighing scales.

Williams was then stopped by police near Talybont-on-Usk on April 11 driving a black BMW, suspected of picking up drugs from the Merthyr area.

“Police stopped the vehicle, the defendant was the sole occupant,” said Mr Walters.

“They found 7g of cocaine in his underwear, with an estimated £540 street value. £319 in cash was found in his coat pocket.

“He again provided positive readings for cocaine and cannabis. A plastic container had 35g of cannabis, worth £350. The total amount of cash seized was £2,370.”

In interview, Williams admitted he had been involved in the supply of drugs for “too long”.

“In conversations on a phone seized, the defendant was asked who the main drug dealer in Brecon was and he said ‘who do you think?’, relating to him.”

Hashim Salman, representing Williams, said his client, who studied carpentry and lives with his mother, accepted his offending was aggravated by the fact it continued after his initial arrest.

“He has a work record, but drug misuse lies at the heart of his peril," he said. "He has used cannabis since he was 17 and cocaine since he was 20.

“His addiction to Class A drugs escalated in a terrible way in 2023 when he accrued a debt, and his life unravelled."

Judge Eugene Egan told Williams: “Under police investigation you should have brought your criminal behaviour to an end, but you went on and on and on."

He jailed Williams for three years and nine months for the supply charges, and one month concurrently for possessing cannabis.