A POWYS drug dealer has been jailed after police found heroin and cocaine worth nearly £20,000 in his flat.

Richard Pryce, from Llanfyllin, is headed to prison days before Christmas after he was jailed for 28 months at Mold Crown Court on Friday, December 22.

His sentencing hearing was told the 58-year-old, who has previous convictions but has never been to prison before, entered a “never-ending spiral” of drugs and debt following the death of his partner in 2019.

Pryce, of Y Fawnog, High Street, Llanfyllin, had previously entered guilty pleas to a total of nine charges, including possessing heroin and cocaine with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. Two of those guilty pleas came on Friday.

Prosecutor John Philpotts said Pryce was first arrested at his north Powys home on January 14, 2021.

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“The defendant was detained by police at his address following observations,” said Mr Philpotts.

“They seized 129 grams of heroin. More drugs were seized, as well as £960 cash and drug paraphernalia. The drugs had a street value in excess of £16,000.”

Mr Philpotts said Pryce was put under observation following his arrest but he continued to be involved with drugs. This led to another warrant being executed on November 22 this year, at an address in Meifod.

“Cash, drugs and equipment was seized, including phones,” added Mr Philpotts.

“An amount of 2.4g of heroin, worth £300, was found, as well as 17.1g of cocaine, worth between £1,600 and £2,000.

“There were messages on his phones relating to heroin and cocaine deals. A throwing star was also recovered.

“He has no previous convictions for drug trafficking, but he does have convictions for possessing drugs.”

In all, Pryce admitted to two offences of possessing heroin with intent to supply; one charge of possessing cocaine with intent to supply; one charge of being concerned in the supply of heroin and one of an exact nature in relation to cocaine.

He also admitted two counts of possessing heroin; one charge of possessing criminal property and one charge of possessing an offensive weapon.

Representing him, Mark Lebrocq said Pryce had “gone off the rails” after the death of his partner.

“He accepts what inevitably must follow,” said Mr Lebrocq.

“It is a sad set of circumstances. There has been long-term drug use, but no serious offending and no supply offences up until 2021.

“In 2019 he lost his partner and since that time he has gone off the rails in terms of his drug use, which has got him into debut. It has become a never-ending spiral.

“A prison sentence might actually be a godsend, it might help him with his addiction, though the fact remains he’ll still be in debt when he comes out, which is sad to think about.

“He tells me he was dealing to friends, in small street deals. He has never had a prison sentence before and it’s going to hit him hard.”

Judge Niclas Parry told Pryce: “This has finally caught up with you. There was a significant amount of drugs.

“You carried on when you knew police were feeling your collar. The reason you carried on probably comes down to the pressure you were under and the fact you were making money.”

Pryce was jailed for 28 months for each of the five offences relating to supplying heroin and cocaine or being involved in the supply – but they will run concurrently to each other, so Pryce’s total sentence is 28 months.

There was no separate penalty for the possession of drugs or the weapon. Judge Parry ordered the forfeiture and destruction of all drugs and equipment, and said the cash seized will be detained for work in perusing drug crime.