Garvey: Three and a half year sentence
A criminal defence solicitor who became involved with a client in the supply of cocaine and class C drugs is among three men to be jailed for multiple offences.
The investigation by South Wales Police began after Daniel Baker was arrested in August 2021 in connection with cocaine supply offences. Solicitor Ben Garvey and his firm represented him.
But analysis of mobile phones and other devices uncovered that Garvey himself was also involved in the supply of drugs. There were also messages revealing cocaine being supplied to the solicitor.
The pair along with Jake Blackburn – who distributed drugs on Baker’s behalf – were investigated as part of Operation Kilau. This uncovered evidence of cocaine supply involving the three men, who knew one another and had links to the Sandfields area of Port Talbot.
Police searched Garvey’s home in September, 2021 resulted in officers seizing further mobile devices and steroids, a class C drug.
The devices revealed Garvey’s direct involvement in the supply of cocaine and steroids among his associates, according to the police.
The solicitor was an active member of a 17-person WhatsApp group in which members discussed sourcing and supplying cocaine between 2020 and 2021. Messages also included footage of cocaine being used and images of wholesale quantities drug.
While Baker was in custody in August 2021, Garvey acted as an intermediary for “criminal messages” between Baker and Blackburn.
Following a trial in July and August this year, the three men were convicted. Garvey was jailed for three years and six months for being concerned in the supply of steroids, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, assisting or encouraging the supply of cocaine, and perverting the course of justice.
Images taken from Garvey’s phone
Baker was jailed for three years and four months for being concerned in the supply of cocaine with Blackburn; and perverting the course of justice.
Blackburn was jailed for four years and 10 months for being concerned in the supply of cocaine with Baker, and perverting the course of justice.
At the time of sentencing, Daniel Baker was already serving a custodial sentence, having been convicted of breaching a serious crime prevention order.
Chief Inspector Russ Jenkins, the senior investigating officer, said: “This was an extremely complex investigation requiring the careful handling of a significant volume of legally privileged material.
“Ben Garvey was a practising criminal defence solicitor throughout the period of offending, which spanned several years. As an officer of the court, he had a clear duty to uphold the integrity of the criminal justice system.
“Instead, he chose to abuse that position of trust by actively engaging in the very criminality he was professionally bound to challenge.
“The sentences reflect the seriousness of these offences and should serve as a clear warning to others involved in organised drug supply.”
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