**Police Arrest Drug Dealer After Clumsy Escape Attempt in Newport**
A 22-year-old man from Newport found himself in police custody after a failed attempt to flee officers led to his arrest and the discovery of crack cocaine, an array of incriminating mobile phones, and hundreds of pounds in cash. The details, revealed during his court appearance, illuminate the continuing battle authorities face in tackling drug distribution in the region.
The incident occurred in the early hours of 13 April 2025. Joshua Seivwright, the defendant, was initially approached by police as part of an unrelated investigation. After exiting a taxi at around 4:55am, Seivwright tried to run from the officers. However, his bid for freedom was quickly thwarted when he stumbled and was promptly apprehended.
During a routine search following his arrest, police recovered several suspicious items from Seivwright. Among the evidence were a container holding what appeared to be a white rock, two mobile phones (an Apple iPhone and a Nokia), and £501 in cash. Subsequent forensic testing confirmed the substance to be 0.428 grams of crack cocaine. Despite a thorough search of his residence, officers found nothing further of interest.
Crucially, when officers examined Seivwright’s mobile devices, they uncovered further evidence of his activities. Though the defendant refused to provide the PIN for his iPhone, the Nokia handset was found to contain a staggering 277 messages. A significant proportion of these messages were typical of what law enforcement term “text bombs’’ — mass texts advertising illegal drugs to potential buyers. This trove of communication provided a clear window into Seivwright’s role in the supply chain.
When questioned during police interviews, Seivwright admitted to using crack cocaine himself but denied any involvement in distributing the drug. He claimed the substantial amount of cash seized was derived from a family trust fund and insisted that the Nokia phone belonged to his father, who shares his name. These explanations were ultimately dismissed in court given the weight of evidence against him.
The legal process culminated in Seivwright appearing before Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to multiple charges. These included possession with intent to supply class A drugs, being concerned in the supply of class A substances, and possession of criminal property. The court also heard that Seivwright already had a history of drug-related convictions, with 11 previous offences, notably for possession with intent to supply both heroin and crack cocaine.
Defence counsel Kevin Seal acknowledged the seriousness of his client’s predicament, telling the court that Seivwright recognised he would likely spend a considerable period behind bars due to his involvement in the drug trade. Seal explained that Seivwright’s addiction to crack cocaine began when he was just 15 or 16 years old and that he had fallen into debt after drugs he had been holding for others were seized during earlier investigations.
In her remarks during sentencing, Judge Vanessa Francis suggested Seivwright was a “man of potential,” expressing regret that his future was being compromised by his continued involvement in drugs. Judge Francis warned Seivwright of the prospect of a “revolving door” in and out of prison should he fail to break free from his criminal lifestyle.
Ultimately, Seivwright was sentenced to five years and seven months in prison.
This case highlights the challenges facing communities where drug addiction and distribution remain persistent problems. It also serves as a reminder of the relentless efforts by law enforcement to disrupt these networks, and the devastating personal consequences for those ensnared in the cycle of substance misuse and criminality.