A father of nine alleged that he was set up when police apprehended him with over 1.5 kilograms of cocaine while he was delivering a package, a court revealed.
Luke Campbell, a former member of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards who had served in Afghanistan, accepted £250 to transport the parcel from Swansea to Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire on August 8. The 34-year-old, employed as a delivery driver for DPD, had connected with the recipient through work, but authorities intercepted the package at Pont Abraham motorway services.
According to Swansea Crown Court, Dyfed-Powys Police acted on intelligence regarding a Mercedes Sprinter van traveling westbound on the M4 from Swansea. Officers stopped the vehicle around 3:50 pm that day and discovered a Lidl shopping bag under the front passenger seat containing blocks of white powder.
The bag was concealed in a compartment beneath the seat, and Campbell, the sole occupant of the van, was detained. His iPhone was seized, but he declined to disclose the passcode.
During transit to a police station in Llanelli, Campbell reportedly exclaimed, “I’ve been stitched up.” Additionally, digital scales with powder residue were found in a wardrobe at his residence.
Examination of the bag contents unveiled a large package labeled “Elite” containing a kilogram of 84% pure cocaine, a half-kilo block of 68% purity, and a 123-gram block of 65% purity. The drugs were estimated to have a wholesale value of around £33,000, with a potential street value reaching up to £187,700.
In police questioning, Campbell admitted to acting as a courier for an acquaintance from DPD, receiving £250 for picking up a package in Ravenhill, Swansea, and delivering it to an address in Saundersfoot. He acknowledged awareness that the bag contained money or drugs, as the individual was involved in drug dealing. Campbell also confessed that the scales found at his home were used by him and his partner for dividing drugs purchased at music festivals.
Campbell, residing in Swansea, previously pleaded guilty to cocaine possession with intent to supply. Although he had no prior convictions, he had police cautions for common assault and battery.
His defense attorney, Matt Murphy, highlighted Campbell’s unblemished record but pointed out the detrimental impact of his military service on his mental health. Financial struggles led Campbell to make regrettable choices and associate with inappropriate individuals.
Judge Geraint Walters noted Campbell’s compliance with instructions from others and the responsibility he was given. Consequently, Campbell received a 32-month prison sentence.