Solicitor Ben Garvey, 38, became upset during his police interview and said the allegations of drug dealing had 'ruined his career'. He claimed text messages to a cocaine dealer and his client referred to champagne, not drugs.
Allegations of Drug Supply and Perverting Justice
Garvey, of Port Talbot, is accused of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and steroids, and of perverting the course of justice. He is also alleged to have encouraged friends to purchase cocaine in messages in a WhatsApp group named 'The Old C***s'.
He later represented his cocaine dealer Daniel Baker, 34, who was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Garvey passed on messages from Baker's runner Jake Blackburn, 28, to his client while Baker was in police custody, Bristol Crown Court heard.
Garvey's Police Interview
The court heard transcripts from Garvey's police interview following his arrest in September 2021. During the interview, Garvey became upset and told police the allegations had 'ruined his career'. He challenged police to find any images on his phone indicating he had dealt cocaine.
He conceded he had used steroids as a younger man when training in the gym but had stopped years ago. Garvey told police: 'I’ve never been involved in purchasing or supplying drugs. Have I put myself in stupid situations, yes, have I been a f****** idiot, yes but I’ve never purchased or supplied drugs.' He added: 'Do I look like I’m on steroids now? I was a very stupid young boy.'
Claims of Champagne, Not Drugs
Garvey said meetings with Baker were about legal advice, and on one occasion he saw multiple boxes of champagne in Baker's car. He claimed he told Baker he could take the boxes off his hands as he was friends with the owner of Juniper Place in Swansea, who would be happy to purchase the champagne.
Referring to 'The Old C***' WhatsApp group, Garvey said: 'The group was often joke related and banter taken out of context... My close friends know I am not a drug user.' He added: 'The vast majority of my friends I have known for 30 years through school or playing sport together and everyone talks complete nonsense. The objective is to make others laugh by being outrageous.'
Denials and Trial
Garvey, of Vivian Park Drive, Sandfields, Port Talbot, denies perverting the course of justice, being concerned in the supply of Class A and C drugs, and encouraging or assisting in the commission of an offence. Baker, of Silver Avenue, Sandfields, Port Talbot, denies perverting the course of justice but previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Blackburn, of Chrome Avenue, Sandfields, Port Talbot, denies perverting the course of justice but changed his plea to guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. The trial continues.
