A DRUG dealer has been jailed for three and a half years after a court heard he sold crack cocaine via ‘text bombs’ on his mobile phone.

The illegal activities of Courtney Davies, 28, were uncovered when Gwent Police officers found his number on another mobile while investigating a separate drugs case not involving him.

When officers examined the phone, it showed that Davies, of Rougemont Grove, Chepstow, was running a drug line in Newport and sending out text messages advertising class A drugs.

The court heard that members of the East Serious Organised Crime team arrested Davies in Newport on September 16 and recovered two mobile phones.

Officers searched his then address in Newport, where they seized £1,676 in cash from inside a plastic bottle, and £800 from a coat, alongside 7.87gm of cannabis.

CCTV from a convenience store also showed the defendant topping up credit on one of the phones.

Messages from his number were consistent with 'text bombs' with one reading '0.8g deals of cocaine for £50 – Friday feeling' and 'on as normal guys got that fire one and whatever you need’.'"

Davies admitted being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and possession of cannabis when he appeared at Cardiff Crown Court.

The court heard he had been jailed in 2019 for four years for possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

His barrister Emma Davies said the father-of-one suffered with unstable personality disorder and PTSD, but was doing a carpentry diploma at the time of his arrest.

PC Jack Davies, the officer in the case, said after the hearing: “The evidence of Davies' illegal operation was overwhelming; it was clear that he was using his mobile phone as a drugs line to supply class A drugs, including crack cocaine, for financial gain.

"When faced with this evidence, Davies had little option but to plead guilty to the charges he faced in court.

“I hope this case highlights the consequences to other people who see drug dealing as a way to make quick money.

"We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that drug dealers like Davies, who bring misery and suffering to our communities, are caught and brought to justice."