Dealer caught selling drugs while on probation jailed

Jay Murray sent thousands of text messages offering crack cocaine and heroin in a single week – despite already being on probation for drugs offences.

The 24 year-old from Llantwit Major was using someone else’s flat near Salisbury Road, Cardiff, as a base for his drug dealing – exploiting its occupant who was suffering from serious illness.

Officers from the Cardiff and Vale Organised Crime Team discovered that the drug line they were investigating matched the mobile phone number which had previously been used by Murray to contact police and probation officers after his release from prison. They arrested Murray on October 2, 2023, near the flat he was using and during a search of the property, officers found crack cocaine, cocaine, cannabis and £1,738 in cash.

Murray was charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, being in possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, and possessing criminal property (cash). He pleaded guilty to all offences and appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday, November 5, to be sentenced.

This was Murray’s third conviction for drug dealing which carries a mandatory seven-year sentence, but he received a discount for early, guilty pleas and was jailed for five years and six months.