A solicitor accused of being concerned in drug dealing supported a friend who had been barred from policing for life after testing positive for cocaine said the residents of a Welsh town were “shovelling (cocaine) down their necks”.
Ben Garvey, 38, of Port Talbot, is also accused of supplying steroids and of encouraging his friends to purchase cocaine in messages found in a WhatsApp group named ‘The Old C***s’.
He later went on to represent his cocaine dealer Daniel Baker, 34, who was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and passed on messages from Baker’s runner Jake Blackburn, 28, to his client while he was incarcerated, Bristol Crown Court has heard.
A trial heard Garvey was a solicitor and was previously a partner at David W Harris Solicitors & Co based in Swansea, Pontypridd, and Talbot Green. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here.
The court heard the defendant’s association with Baker began in the summer of 2021 when it is alleged Garvey purchased cocaine from Baker on behalf of himself and his friends.
On Monday, the trial heard messages from the What’s App group ‘The Old C****s’, which included Garvey and David Kingdon, a former South Wales Police officer who was barred from the profession after testing positive for cocaine.
In a message to the group, Mr Kingdon told his friends he was “doing fine” after news of his misconduct hearing had spread.
In response, Garvey said: “It doesn’t need to be said brother but f*** everyone. We are your brothers and we will defend you to the hilt. Every c*** in Port Talbot is shovelling it (cocaine) down their neck week in, week out.
“If I see any cheeky c*** try and say anything they will be put in their place. We love you lots brother, that’s all you need to know. Chin up and crack on.”
In his opening to the court on Thursday prosecutor Ray Tully KC said: “[Garvey] was planning for a big night out and there was the suggestion they would need to have access to cocaine to have the use of during their big night out.
“The prosecution’s case is Daniel Baker, as of the summer of 2021, was the organiser of an organised crime group and that group was instrumental in the supply of cocaine.
“He came to be arrested in 2021 and following his arrest and seizure of electronic items messages came to light of Mr Garvey, the solicitor, arranging to meet with Mr Baker for the purpose of purchasing cocaine from him.”
It is alleged there were two meet-ups between Garvey and Baker in a 12-hour period during which the former purchased cocaine from the latter for himself and others. It is also alleged Blackburn sold cocaine to Garvey on Baker’s behalf when he was not available to do so.
Mr Tully said the most serious charge was of perverting the course of justice, which all three defendants are accused of.
Following Baker’s arrest on August 18, 2021, he asked to be represented by David W Harris Solicitors & Co. Mr Tully said: “He would have known Mr Garvey was a solicitor who acted for that firm and came to be represented by Mr Garvey, represented by someone he knew and supplied drugs to in the past.”
The court heard Garvey was in frequent phone contact with Blackburn following Baker’s remand in prison. One message from Blackburn to Garvey read: “Tell Dan Oxford’s sorted, everything else by tonight.”
Another message from Blackburn to Garvey read: “iCloud username and password.”
As a result of messages discovered on Baker’s phone Garvey and Blackburn were arrested and their electronic devices were seized.
It is alleged that messages on Garvey’s phone reveal he was concerned in the supply of steroids in 2013 and was part of a WhatsApp group called ‘The Old C***s’ in which he encouraged and “egged on” friends to purchase cocaine. Images taken from the group included photos and videos of cocaine and people using cocaine.
Garvey, of Vivian Park Drive, Sandfields, Port Talbot, denies perverting the course of justice, being concerned in the supply of Class A and C drugs, and encouraging or assisting in the commission of an offence.
Baker, of Silver Avenue, Sandfields, Port Talbot, denies perverting the course of justice. He previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Blackburn, of Chrome Avenue, Sandfields, Port Talbot, denies perverting the course of justice but changed his plea to guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
The trial continues.
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