Drugs boss boasted about living highlife from Dubai suite

South Wales Argus

02-05-2025

Jerome Samuels, 31, from Newport was able to splash out on expensive trips while playing 'a leading role' in a crime gang.
The father-of-four's reign was ended when he was caught with more than £50,000 worth of heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine weighing over 1kg earlier this year.
Tabitha Walker, prosecuting, said the defendant was arrested by Gwent Police officers who were on patrol in an unmarked car in the Bettws area of Newport.
They arrested Samuels on suspicion of drug dealing and found more than £5,000 in cash inside his Vauxhall Insignia car.
(Image: Jerome Samuels)
Police also came across a key for a Volkswagen Tiguan SUV which they traced to Maesglas Crescent.
When they searched the vehicle they came across the large drugs stash.
They seized 205.8g of crack cocaine with a potential street value of £20,020, 651.5g of heroin worth £22,200 and 491.8g of cocaine which could be sold for £12,000.
Detectives discovered incriminating evidence on Samuels' mobile phone which included the video of him showing off in Dubai.
Miss Walker said: 'The Crown say this defendant played a leading role and there was the expectation of significant financial gain with influence over others in the chain.'
Samuels, of Monnow Way, Bettws admitted possession with intent to supply heroin, possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, possession with intent to supply cocaine and possession of criminal property.
The offences occurred on January 26, Cardiff Crown Court was told.
Julia Cox representing him asked the court to take into account the fact that her client had no previous convictions for drug trafficking offences.
She added how he is mourning the recent death of his grandmother who passed away last month.
Judge Celia Hughes told Samuels: 'It's clear that you were enjoying the life of a drug dealer.
'You were showing off your lavish lifestyle in a video I have seen of you staying in a penthouse suite at a top end hotel in Dubai with a bowl of white powder.'
She added: "You weren't at the top but you were high up in the chain.
'You were running street dealers and your sales were on a commercial scale and you knew the risks that you were taking.'
The defendant was jailed for four years and eight months.
He is due to face a proceeds of crime hearing on December 2.
PC Thomas Meazey, the officer in the case, said: "Jerome Samuels funded a lavish and extravagant lifestyle through his criminal activities.
"The supply of drugs is not a victimless crime, it causes harm and misery not only to those involved and their families but also the wider community.
"We welcome the sentence imposed on Samuels and hope that it demonstrates that those involved in such criminal activity are not untouchable."