THREE Newport drug dealers were sent to prison yesterday for supplying cocaine.

James Ham, 26, from Bristol Street, Newport, was described as the leader of the group at Newport Crown Court, and was responsible for sourcing the Class A drug.

Lewis Gibson, 25, of Charles Street, Newport, was described as Ham’s right hand man, collecting drugs, selling them and taking money.

Also appearing before Judge Patrick Curran QC was Gareth Hopkins, 23, of Balmoral Road, Newport, charged with a lesser role in the group, but described as more than a courier.

All three defendants entered guilty pleas to supplying cocaine.

On September 28,Hamwas seen acting suspiciously by police officers on Church Road, Newport, pacing up and down at 3.20am on a mobile phone.

As it is a known area for drug dealing, he was questioned.

He was searched by the police and £5,560 was found in his wallet, the court heard.

He was arrested, but he claimed that the money was the result of gambling.

His mobile phone was examined and text messages led to Gibson and Hopkins being identified.

Police searched Gibson’s home, resulting in his arrest after 2.8 grams of cocaine was found in his car, with the street value of £200.

Hopkins was arrested on January 23 after scales covered in cocaine and a cutting agent were found at his property, the court was told.

Hopkins admitted having money issues and saw it as a way to pay off debts. He was supplied the drug by Ham and he would sell to friends and sometimes people he was directed to sell to.

The court heard that the text messages showed eight weeks of deals between the trio, with the range of sales between £60 and £220, averaging between £1,500- £2,000 per week.

Ham was sentenced to 44 months in imprisonment, Gibson to two years and two months imprisonment and Hopkins to 12 months.