A HEROIN dealer and two others from Newport had their drug activities further exposed after police found a video of them sorting through a £42,000 supply of heroin.

Aaron Nunes, 26, of Hammond Drive, Cory Barnett, 19, of Margaret Avenue, and a 17-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons were found on a video recorded onto a mobile phone seized after a police raid in January.

Prosecutor Gareth James said in it they referred to “H world, H life”, which he said showed their endorsement for the drug use and showed how much the three were involved with it.

Nunes was described at Cardiff Crown Court as the ringleader of the gang who was found at a property on Hammond Drive with Barnett, who was not arrested on that occasion, on January 9.

Once detained Nunes bragged of how much money he had made from dealing drugs. His mobile phone was examined and the footage of the three sat around a table sorting through the drugs was found.

On January 12 he was found with another 21 wraps of the drug.

As Mr Recorder Huw Rees delivered his sentence at the court, the first of the three, Nunes argued when the judge said he had encouraged the boy to film the mobile footage.

And Nunes was led to start his prison sentence – of four years and four months for possession with intent to supply heroin and another two years to run concurrently for a similar offence – accusing his fellow defendant of being a “a snitch” and “a tramp”.

Mr Recorder Rees told Nunes how he had “obviously not learned his lesson” of previously going to prison for other unrelated matters. Nunes also admitted to two other dealing offences committed last October before he was sentenced and asked the judge to take those into account.

The judge added: “In January of this year you knew what you were about when you were supplying heroin.”

All three had earlier admitted their respective roles with the drugs supply.

Barnett was also arrested after a warrant was executed, again on Hammond Drive, on January 22. On police arriving at the house, they heard Barnett upstairs in a toilet and later found a wrap of heroin on him along with money between £500 and £1,000, Mr James said.

As Barnett was led down to start his jail term of three years for possession with intent to supply heroin, he raised his arms to the public gallery. His year-long sentence for being concerned with the supply of heroin will run concurrently.

The 17-year-old received a two-year youth rehabilitation order with supervision for a year for conspiracy to supply heroin. The court heard he has made good progress since his arrest.

Speaking after the sentencing, senior investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Justin O’Keefe said: “Those involved in the supply of dangerous drugs in our community have no regard for the health or well-being of those who take the drugs. They also don’t care about the devastating effects drug addiction can have on wider society as addicts commit crimes to get money to feed their habits.

“I hope that Aaron Nunes and Cory Bartnett think about this as they serve their sentences. Other drug dealers should also take notice of the sentences passed down as it’s only a matter of time until we catch up with them.

“I would encourage anyone with any information about those dealing drugs in our communities to ring 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. You don’t have to give your name or any personal details – all we are interested in is information about criminals operating in our community. If we are given the information we can act and help make Gwent a safer place for all.”