Kaine Peterson, 26, his brother Kurtis, 19, and Ryan Beirne were involved in the supply of cocaine in the Newport area.
Kaine Peterson, 26, was involved in a conspiracy to supply cocaine(Image: Gwent Police)
A drug dealer who took selfies of white powder and wads of cash has been ordered to pay back just £800 despite making in the region of £15,000. The images were found on their phones after they were seized by police as part of their investigation.
The involvement of Kaine Peterson, 26, Kurtis Peterson, 19, and Ryan Beirne, 31, in the supply of cocaine in the Newport area was discovered by officers. The period of the conspiracy involving all three defendants took place between September 1, 2024, and February 21 this year.
The trio came to the attention of Gwent Police due to messages sent by Kurtis Peterson including text bombs offering the supply of controlled drugs. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter.
Messages were sent by the defendant to his brother Kaine to direct him to attend premises at various postcodes to either drop off drugs or collect cash.
Kurtis Peterson, 19, was involved in a conspiracy to supply cocaine(Image: Gwent Police)
There had also been messages between Kurtis Peterson and his girlfriend, which revealed the main part of his income came from drug dealing.
Cell site analysis revealed the three defendant’s phones were located near their addresses in Lime Crescent, Newport.
There were messages between Beirne and Kaine Peterson, which indicated the former was storing cocaine at his home, and a video of him showed him holding a wad of cash.
At a sentencing hearing in July year, prosecutor Josh Scouller said: “Videos, messages and photographs were obtained from the mobile phones and all three defendants can be seen in the presence of, holding or sorting white powder or large amounts of cash.”
Messages on Kaine Peterson’s phone showed he was a regular advertiser of drugs, through his sending of text bombs, and being offered contact details for a cocaine user, which he offered to purchase for £300.
Kurtis Peterson was arrested at his home in Lime Crescent when his girlfriend was present and police seized bags of white rock and powder, the defendant’s phone, cash and scales.
Beirne was arrested at another address in Lime Crescent and was seen by police with his hands in the toilet bowl, attempting to flush white powder.
Ryan Beirne, 31, was involved in a conspiracy to supply cocaine(Image: Gwent Police)
He was later found in possession of 6.7g of cocaine as well as mobile phones and weighing scales.
Kaine Peterson was arrested at a later date while travelling in a car in Bedwas Road, Caerphilly.
Mr Scouller said the total amount of cocaine found in the possession of the defendants weighed 98.7g, worth £9,570.
Kurtis Peterson, Kaine Peterson and Beirne pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply a class A drug.
Kurtis Peterson was sentenced to 52 months in a young offenders institute, Kaine Peterson was sentenced to 68 months imprisonment, and Beirne was sentenced to 72 months imprisonment.
At a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday heard Kaine Peterson benefited to the tune of £15,926 as a result of his offending, but only has assets worth £800.
Judge Eugene Egan ordered the defendant to pay that sum within 28 days or serve an additional seven days imprisonment in default.
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