A Welsh solicitor accused of being concerned in the supply of cocaine acted as a go-between for the leader of an organised crime group he was representing, a court has heard. The solicitor is alleged to have passed on messages to his client in prison to assist him in running his drugs enterprise and to delete incriminating messages.
Allegations Against Ben Garvey
Ben Garvey, 38, of Port Talbot, is also accused of supplying steroids and of encouraging his friends to purchase cocaine in messages found in a WhatsApp group named "The Old C***s". He later went on to represent his cocaine dealer Daniel Baker, 34, who was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, and passed on messages from Baker's runner Jake Blackburn, 28, to his client whilst he was incarcerated, Bristol Crown Court has heard.
A trial on Thursday heard Garvey was a solicitor and was previously a partner of David W Harris Solicitors & Co based in Swansea, Pontypridd and Talbot Green.
Association with Drug Dealer
The court heard the defendant's association with Baker began in the summer of 2021 when it is alleged Garvey purchased cocaine from Baker on behalf of himself and his friends. In his opening to the court on Thursday, prosecutor Ray Tully KC said: "(Garvey) was planning for a big night out and there was the suggestion they would need to have access to cocaine to have the use of during their big night out."
The prosecution's case is Daniel Baker, as of the summer of 2021, was the organiser of an organised crime group and that group was instrumental in the supply of cocaine. He came to be arrested in 2021 and following his arrest and seizure of electronic items, messages came to light of Mr Garvey, the solicitor, arranging to meet with Mr Baker for the purpose of purchasing cocaine from him.
It is alleged there were two meet-ups between Garvey and Baker in a 12-hour period, during which the former purchased cocaine from the latter for himself and others. It is also alleged Blackburn sold cocaine to Garvey on Baker's behalf when he was not available to do so.
Perverting the Course of Justice
Mr Tully said the most serious charge is of perverting the course of justice, which all three defendants are accused of. Following Baker's arrest on August 18, 2021, he asked to be represented by David W Harris Solicitors & Co. Mr Tully said: "He would have known Mr Garvey was a solicitor who acted for that firm and came to be represented by Mr Garvey, represented by someone he knew and supplied drugs to in the past."
The court heard Garvey was in frequent phone contact with Blackburn following Baker's remand in prison. One message from Blackburn to Garvey read: "Tell Dan Oxford's sorted, everything else by tonight." Mr Tully said: "The police investigation into Mr Baker led them to realise Mr Baker was involved in a drugs operation in south Wales, where he comes from, and there was an Oxford angle. He was sourcing and supplying drugs in the Oxford area."
Another message from Blackburn to Garvey read: "iCloud username and password." Mr Tully said: "We say that request was so Mr Blackburn could get access to online material stored online relating to Mr Baker and the purpose for him wanting to do that is manifold; to take care of things after the boss had been nicked, and wanting to delete or wipe information online - knowing the boss has been nicked."
In the circumstances, the prosecution suggest the communication that took place is evidence they were all involved in relaying information to and from Mr Baker whilst he was in custody. "We say that it's an attempt to preserve and protect the drugs operation and carry on business whilst the boss is incarcerated, and the communication would be designed to hamper and impede the investigation that has got underway that day," Mr Tully added.
Further Evidence
As a result of messages discovered on Baker's phone, Garvey and Blackburn were arrested and their electronic devices were seized. It is alleged that messages on Garvey's phone reveal he was concerned in the supply of steroids in 2013 and was part of a WhatsApp group called "The Old C***s" in which he encouraged and "egged on" friends to purchase cocaine. Images taken from the group included photos and videos of cocaine and people using cocaine.
The court heard another member of this group was David Kingdom, a former police officer for South Wales Police, who was barred from policing for life after he tested positive for cocaine.
Defendants and Charges
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. He previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Blackburn, of Chrome Avenue, Sandfields, Port Talbot, denies perverting the course of justice and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. The trial continues.
