A MAN who offered cash to people online to set fire to a home and a car was caught with £62,500-worth of cocaine when he was arrested.

Michael Arundel, 34, of Mynydd Bach in Ammanford, sent messages on the Telegram app to an audience of more than 1,000 people asking for a car and a house to be set on fire.

Witnesses saw a man throw something at an Audi on Arundel’s street which “immediately exploded” on February 28. The person ran away, and when the owner of the car followed him, he recognised them as being linked to Arundel.

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Following this incident, officers began monitoring the Telegram app, and on April 26 they found a series of messages.

Arundel messaged at 7.02pm: ‘Need a house set on fire. Cash ready … Tycroes area’, before sending a picture of bags of money.

At 8.16pm, he messaged: ‘Cash was paid … that last job is sorted. Watch what happens tonight’.

After discovering the messages, Dyfed-Powys Police attended the area.

This saw another message sent, reading: ‘Feds all over the place' and 'soon as they’re gone it will happen mark my words’.

‘You can’t delay the inevitable!! It’s happening 100%’, he added.

However no attack took place.

Three days later, officers on patrol in Llanelli spotted Arundel, who fled down Marble Hall Road. He fell over as he tried to take a plastic bag out of his pocket and discard it.

Inside the bag, officers found a half kilogram block of cocaine with a street value of up to £62,500.

Michael Arundel offered money on the Telegram app asking people to set fire to a car and a house.Michael Arundel offered money on the Telegram app asking people to set fire to a car and a house. (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)

Officers examining his phones found Telegram messages on February 28 relating to the first incident.

Arundel messaged ‘Anyone looking to make money? Car set on fire in Ammanford. Don’t waste my time I want it asap’, before adding: ‘1st person come set the Audi outside on fire I’ll personally come give you £200 cash.’

He then messaged: ‘If you’re not available tonight don’t stress. I’ll pay you £200 tomorrow night to do the house windows. I don’t f*** about and I don’t do things by half.’

He later increased his offer to £300.

Further analysis of Arundel’s Telegram account found evidence of dealing cocaine and MDMA – both Class A drugs – and cannabis and ketamine – both Class B drugs – between August 2023 and April this year.  

Arundel admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine, as well as two offences of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, MDMA, cannabis and ketamine.

He initially denied two offences of intentionally encouraging the commission of an offence, but later admitted these.

Arundel was jailed for 11 years, and his victim was granted a 20-year restraining order.