19-year-old Ashton Banfield, from Butetown, was stopped by plain-clothed officers on Swansea’s High Street on March 27. During the stop, a quantity of cannabis and crack cocaine were found in his jacket pocket.
He was also found to be in possession of a large quantity of cash, as well as two mobile phones.
Arresting officers were told by Banfield “I don’t give a f***”, Swansea Crown Court heard during a sentencing hearing.
Banfield pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a Class A drug, possession of a Class B drug, and possession of criminal property.
Banfield was previously handed a 12 month referral order in February 2023 for the supply of crack cocaine, and sentenced to 30 months’ detention in a young offenders institution in August 2024 for possession and supply of crack cocaine
Sentencing Banfield to four years in a young offenders institution, Judge Geraint Walters said Banfield had “no moral compass” and that “I dare say you thought you were Mr Big again”.
Sergeant Geraint Thomas from South Wales Police said: “Ashton Banfield’s intentions in Swansea on the day of his arrest were clear – he was there to deal the Class A drugs he had in his possession on the city streets.
“It is fortunate that our officers stopped him when they did – if he had been left to continue with his illegal activities, we would have a lot more of the drugs filtering into our community.
“We hope he changes his ways whilst in prison.”
