Prison for drug dealer arrested by plain clothes officers – South Wales

A prolific drug dealer who claimed his illicit stash of pills were ‘presents’ has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Macauley Hughes, aged 29, of Wellingtonia Close, Merthyr Tydfil, pleaded guilty to one count of Possession with Intent to Supply Class C drugs following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

He also pleaded guilty to one count of Possession with Intent to Supply Class B drugs following a South Wales Police (SWP) investigation.

He was sentenced to two years and six months in prison and fined £228 at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday 18 June.

The court heard how on Wednesday 3 January 2024, plain clothes BTP officers at Cardiff Central Station spotted Hughes entering with his bike. His unsteady demeanour and the strong smell of cannabis emanating from him gave officers reason to detain him for a stop search.

He immediately became abusive and had to be handcuffed while an officer carried out the search which uncovered more than 2,000 Bromazolam tablets along with cannabis.

He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled substance.

Hughes continued to use abusive language and threatened officers while referring to the pills as ‘presents’.

While in custody he was again searched and a plastic tub containing blue pills were found in his underpants.

Following his detention, BTP officers searched his home and seized four bottles of illegal THC vape juice from his fridge.

BTP Detective Constable Liam Perry said: “Drugs are a blight on society, yet for Hughes this was business as usual. He used the railway to travel from town to town selling drugs.

“The fact that he was outraged that officers challenged him demonstrates the normalcy with which he regarded his criminal enterprise. I hope he takes his time behind bars to rethink his illegal activities.

“If you’re planning to use the railway to transport and supply drugs, we will catch up with you, and you will be put before the courts.

“Passengers who spot drug dealing on the railway are urged to report it to us, either by texting 61016 of calling 0800 40 50 40.”

South Wales Police Sergeant Shaun Thomas said: “These illegal drugs have devastating consequences on the people further down the chain who end up using them, not to mention their family, friends and wider communities.”

“We will continue to investigate any information you have which could relate to the sale or use of these drugs.”