**Two Men Jailed Over New Year’s Eve Cocaine Dealing in Carmarthen Nightclub**
Two men from Carmarthenshire have been sentenced to prison following their arrest for dealing cocaine in a nightclub during New Year’s Eve celebrations. The sentencing, delivered at Swansea Crown Court, comes after police intervention sparked by suspicious behaviour seen on CCTV in the early hours of January 1, 2023.
Joshua Jenkins, 30, of Tumble, and Alex John, 21, of St Clears, found themselves in the dock after CCTV operators monitoring a venue on Queen Street in Carmarthen observed the men engaging in what appeared to be drug transactions. The operators promptly notified the police, leading to both men being stopped, searched, and detained inside the club just after midnight.
Upon searching Jenkins and John, officers discovered Jenkins carrying four individual deals of cocaine and John holding six, as well as £400 in cash between them. John was additionally found with two bags of cannabis. Both men were arrested on the spot. The subsequent investigation extended to their homes, yielding further incriminating evidence.
At Jenkins’ residence, police uncovered three mobile phones, weighing scales, cannabis and cocaine, and a box of bicarbonate of soda, often used to dilute drugs for resale. John’s home was found to contain five phones, three sets of digital scales, and a supply of empty snap-bags typically used for packaging drugs, suggesting a well-organised operation.
Analysis of both men’s phones revealed a broader pattern of drug distribution. According to prosecutors, messages stretching back to the previous autumn referenced sales of both cannabis (“smoke”) and cocaine (“white”). Evidence suggested that Jenkins had been distributing drugs for several months, including sending group messages such as “active tonight with white” to potential buyers on the night of his arrest. Meanwhile, John’s phone messages detailed restocking drugs and coordination with Jenkins, indicating collaboration between their enterprises.
During police interviews, Jenkins admitted he had turned to drug dealing after accumulating significant debt with a criminal gang, which had escalated to threats against his family. John remained largely silent during questioning, opting to answer most queries with “no comment.” The prosecution made clear that, while each man ran his own operation, they also supplied each other and occasionally worked together to facilitate sales.
Both defendants pleaded guilty to multiple charges. Jenkins admitted to possession of cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply, as well as being concerned in the supply of both substances. John also pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply, being concerned in supply of both cocaine and cannabis, and, in a separate unrelated matter, to engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour towards his partner—an offence committed while on bail.
Jenkins’ previous convictions included a range of offences such as drug possession, public disorder, and sending threatening messages. At sentencing, Jenkins’ defence highlighted his long-standing substance misuse and the circumstances that led him to offend. His representative explained that Jenkins, now employed and in a stable relationship, had shown signs of turning his life around following the offences.
John, significantly younger at 19 during the time of the nightclub incident, had no prior drug convictions but had instead struggled with personal maturity, according to his barrister. References from past employers suggested a more positive side to his character.
Judge Paul Thomas KC, handing down a sentence, noted the seriousness of the crimes and the aggravating factor of dealing in a busy public venue. He reminded the defendants of the damaging consequences not only for themselves but for their families and the wider community. Jenkins received a prison sentence of two years and six months, while John was sentenced to two years and three months, with an additional two months for his coercive behaviour, to be served consecutively.
As is customary, the men will serve up to half of their sentences in custody, with the remainder on licence in the community. Time already spent on electronically monitored curfew will be deducted from their custodial terms.
The case follows ongoing efforts by Dyfed-Powys Police to clamp down on drug crime in Carmarthenshire, particularly offences linked to the night-time economy. The sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the consequences awaiting those caught supplying Class A substances on the region’s streets.