Matthew Buckley, 37, was later found to be involved in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, due to messages found on his phone.
A drug dealer was discovered to be involved in the supply of cocaine and cannabis after he dropped his phone while riding his electric bike. The device was subsequently picked up by the police who found messages in which the dealer was directing runners to peddle cannabis.
Matthew Buckley, 37, was witnessed by police riding a Sur-Ron electric bike in Newport on March 1 last year when he was seen pulling up next to a Ford Transit van. After carrying out what appeared to be a drug deal, the defendant got back on his bike and rode off.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday heard Buckley had dropped his phone which was picked up by a police officer and later analysed. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here.
The phone was attributed to the defendant and messages revealed he was involved in supplying cocaine to a friend on one occasion.
The messages also showed Buckley had been purchasing and supplying cannabis, as well as controlling and directing runners to deal on his behalf.
On one occasion, the defendant was told one of his runners had threatened a user’s mother for £200, and he said he would “sort it”.
There were also images on his phone depicting several bags of cannabis.
Prosecutor Jason Howells said there was evidence Buckley had been dealing for financial gain and utilising runners.
The defendant was arrested on May 22 last year and he gave a “no comment” interview.
Buckley, of Fosse Road, Newport, later pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A and B drugs.
The court heard he has three previous convictions of a dissimilar nature.
In mitigation, Gareth Williams said his client hadn’t been in trouble with the courts for nine years before his current offence, and there was a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation in his case”.
The barrister said the defendant has “cut ties” with his former associates and has stopped smoking cannabis.
He said his client has three children and provides care for his partner who has medical problems.
Recorder Christian Jowett sentenced Buckley to two years imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.
The defendant was ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work, a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement, and to pay costs of £1,000.
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