Jimmy Prince, a 46-year-old drug dealer from Plasmarl, Swansea, has been sentenced to three years in prison for being concerned in the supply of cocaine. The case was heard at Swansea Crown Court, where Recorder Mark Powell KC told Prince he owed it to his partner and teenage daughter not to reoffend upon his release.
Police investigation and evidence
The investigation began in March 2024 when Swansea police, while looking into other matters, discovered messages related to drug supply on a phone belonging to a known drug user. Prosecuting barrister Megan Williams told the court that officers traced the number to a Samsung handset and identified the SIM card. They then located the shop in Morriston where the phone had been topped up. CCTV footage from the shop allowed officers to identify Prince as the person purchasing the credits.
Police obtained a production order to access the messages sent from the number, which included bulk messages advertising drug supply to multiple contacts dating back to August 2024. On June 1, 2024, officers executed a search warrant at Prince's home in Dinas Street. They seized six snap-seal bags containing cocaine deals, a bag of cutting agent, weighing scales with traces of white powder, empty snap-seal bags, and several phones, including the Samsung handset.
Court proceedings and background
Prince pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine. He appeared via prison videolink for sentencing. The court heard that Prince has six previous convictions for 13 offences, including possession of cocaine with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis in 2011, for which he was sentenced to 48 months in prison.
Defence advocate Dan Griffiths said Prince had been out of trouble for a decade but was "sucked back in by the prospect of what seemed to be easy money." Griffiths described Prince as a low-level street dealer supplying directly to users, many of whom he knew. Prince expressed genuine remorse for the impact of his offending on his partner and teenage daughter.
Sentencing and judge's remarks
Recorder Mark Powell KC noted that Prince's drug dealing was identified through phone evidence and the search of his house, which uncovered "the usual paraphernalia." The judge referenced Prince's statement in the pre-sentence report that he became involved for financial gain and that it was now "time for the pain after the gain."
With a one-third discount for his guilty plea, Prince was sentenced to three years in prison. He will serve 40% of the sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. The judge emphasized that Prince owed it to his family not to return to dealing after his release.
