**Teenage Drug Dealer Caught with Heroin and Crack Cocaine After Troubled Grandmother Calls Police**
In Newport, a teenage drug dealer was caught in possession of heroin and crack cocaine after his concerned grandmother reached out to the authorities. The young man claimed pressure from his peers drove him to deal drugs, following years of cannabis use that began when he was just 12.
The case unravelled at Newport Crown Court, where it was revealed that 19-year-old Ethan Boddy was apprehended at his grandmother’s residence on December 30 of the previous year. The court heard that Boddy’s behaviour had become increasingly troubling; on the day in question, he threatened his grandmother amidst a disagreement, leaving her distressed and her property damaged. Acting out of growing worry for her grandson and frustration at the state of her home, she decided to contact the police.
Upon arrival, police detained Boddy and conducted a search, which led to the discovery of several class A drugs packed for street-level distribution. Officers seized 26 grip-seal bags containing an average of 0.1g of crack cocaine, valued at £500. Additional bags held larger amounts, bringing the total value of crack cocaine to around £660, and 11 small packages of heroin with a street value estimated at £240 were also uncovered. A further 0.05g of loose heroin was found in a separate bag.
Investigators also examined Boddy’s mobile phone, finding a catalogue of messages which pointed conclusively to his involvement in drug dealing. Some texts offered details such as “I have got crack on me G if you can get to mine” and “What do you need G, flake?”—the latter using slang for cocaine. Evidence from the phone painted a clear picture of the defendant’s unwilling and yet active role in the illicit drug trade.
Boddy, now aged 20 and living in Swallow Way, Newport, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, as well as a charge of criminal damage. The court was told that prior to this incident, Boddy had no criminal record and was previously of good character.
During the hearing, his defence barrister Hilary Roberts told the court that Boddy felt deeply shocked by the consequences of his actions, especially after experiencing time in custody. Roberts argued that the teenager had not actively sought out a role in drug dealing, but had been persistently co-opted and influenced by those around him. The defendant’s early exposure to cannabis, and the negative social circles he fell into, were highlighted as significant factors that led him down a slippery slope.
Presiding over sentencing, Judge Celia Hughes commented: “You had been using cannabis since the age of 12—a pathway that often leads young people into further trouble. While you saw dealing drugs as a fast way to earn money, you now understand the gravity of those decisions.”
Boddy received a suspended prison sentence of 21 months, set to remain in effect for 24 months, in view of his remorse and the mitigation put forward. Additional penalties included a 15-day rehabilitation requirement and 150 hours of unpaid community work. Judge Hughes also underscored the risks and temptations young people face from criminal enterprises and peer pressure, urging Boddy to seize this chance to change his life.
This case has once again spotlighted the persistent challenges of drug misuse and youth crime in Welsh communities. The role of family intervention—while deeply painful—can sometimes be vital in halting an individual’s decline into criminality. Experts continue to call for early education and support for at-risk youngsters, as well as rehabilitation schemes that provide genuine opportunities to break away from cycles of addiction and offending.
For many, this case is a sobering reminder of how easily vulnerable young people can be drawn into a world of drug dealing, often with devastating personal and social consequences. The hope is that Boddy’s suspended sentence and exposure to rehabilitative services will mark the start of a more positive chapter in his life.