THIS is the face of a cocaine dealer who was caught stashing £1,500-worth of cocaine in his van, just 18 months after police found drugs worth £6,400 at his home.

Benjamin Ashby, of Folland Road in Garnant, was jailed for four years and ten months after he admitted two offences of possession with intent to supply cocaine.

Sentencing him at Swansea Crown Court, the judge, Recorder Christian Jowett, told Ashby that a prison sentence was “unavoidable” as “no other sentence can be justified”.

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The court heard that police raided Ashby’s home on January 28 last year. No-one was at the address, but officers found 64.2 grams of cocaine, weighing scales, snap bags, and seized his mobile phone.

The cocaine was valued at between £5,120 and £6,400, prosecutor Helen Randall said.

Ashby later attended the police station, and gave a no comment interview the following day. He was released on bail as police continued their investigations.

18 months later – on July 25 this year – police conducted a second raid at Ashby’s home, Ms Randall said.

The defendant answered the door and told the officers: “What you’re looking for is in my van”.

Inside the van, the police found 32 bags containing a total of 16.1 grams of cocaine – valued at between £1,240 and £1,550. They also seized three mobile phones.

Ashby again gave a no comment interview.

Benjamin Ashby was caught with 80 grams of cocaine in his home and van across two drugs raids 18 months apart,Benjamin Ashby was caught with 80 grams of cocaine in his home and van across two drugs raids 18 months apart, (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)

The court heard that the 37-year-old defendant had nine previous convictions for nine offences.

“He’s very realistic about his position,” said David Singh, in mitigation. “He appreciates a very lengthy term of imprisonment is inevitable in this case.

“He was the subject of a serious attack in 2020. He has had a number of difficulties that stem from that – none of which excuse his foray in to the drug dealing world.

“He knows that drug dealing potentially is a lucrative endeavour, but it carries significant risks.

“There’s a lack of relevant previous convictions.”