A TEENAGER went back to selling cannabis and started dealing cocaine after he was released under investigation when he was first arrested at the end of 2023.
Prosecutor Matthew Murphy told Swansea Crown Court that police attended then-18-year-old Ieuan Duffy’s home on December 6, 2023, and he was arrested on suspicion of cannabis possession.
Upon searching the house, the officers found a total of 151.86 grams of cannabis, £430.25 in cash, and drug dealing paraphernalia – including electronic weighing scales, zip lock bags, and two mobile phones.
A drug expert estimated the cannabis to have a street value of £1,680, and analysis of the phones showed evidence of Duffy’s involvement in dealing cannabis.
The defendant was released on bail pending further investigation.
The court heard that officers returned to Duffy’s address on January 27 of this year in relation to allegations of an unrelated offence.
A search of Duffy’s bedroom uncovered a bag containing white powder – which was later found to be 28 grams of cocaine – as well as 427 grams of cannabis, two mobile phones, a set of electronic weighing scales, and £3,032.92 in cash.
A drug expert said the cocaine had a street value of up to £2,000 and the cannabis was valued at £4,740.
The 19-year-old, of Hill Park in Narberth, had no previous convictions.
Dan Griffiths, in mitigation, said Duffy hadn’t immediately returned to drug dealing after his initial release under investigation.
He said the defendant’s cannabis use “spiralled out of control”, which led to addiction and him using cocaine, before then turning to dealing to pay off his debts.
Ieuan Duffy was 18 when he was first caught dealing cannabis. (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)
“This case does expose some of the clear issues with the system,” Mr Griffiths said.
He said Duffy may not have gone on to reoffend had he initially been prosecuted “in a timely manner” after his first arrest.
“Some form of intervention at that stage may have been more impactful.”
In a letter he read to the court, Duffy apologised for his offending and said he had been “naïve and gullible”.
“I have let both my family and community down,” he said.
“I dare say that without any involvement in cannabis from a young age, you wouldn’t have found yourself in the position you have,” said Judge Huw Rees.
“You’ve been a fool, unto yourself. You have acknowledged that.”
Duffy was sentenced to three years and five months in a Young Offender Institution.
Mr Murphy confirmed an application was sought under the Proceeds of Crime Act to recover any profits Duffy made from his offending. He will return to court on August 8.
