Drug dealing Nantyglo dad caught with cocaine worth £20,000

Nathan Southway, 36, of The Crescent, Nantyglo started selling the class A drug after losing his job, Cardiff Crown Court was told.

Prosecutor Pamela Kaiga said officers found 323.3g of cocaine when they executed a search warrant at his address.

They came across a block of the class A drug as well as dozens of deals in wraps ready to be sold to customers.

Police also seized more than £1,500 in cash as well as the Samsung mobile he was using for the drugs line he was running.

Nathan Southway (Image: Gwent Police)

After examining the device, detectives saw that Southway was having the drugs delivered directly to his home address.

He admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine with the offence committed between September 20, 2025 and April 7.

The defendant had nine previous convictions for 12 offences which included assaulting a police officer, battery, burglary and criminal damage.

His last conviction was in 2016.

There were none for drugs offences.

William Bebb representing Southway said: “He has come packed with a bag today, realising he is very much at risk of going down to the cells through the door behind him in the dock.

“The defendant has described his offence as the worst mistake in his life.

Southway kept cash and some of the cocaine in a safe found in his kitchen (Image: CPS Wales)

“His probation report writer has deemed his remorse to be genuine and that there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation in this case.”

Mr Bebb added: “He lost his job in June 2025 and he was leading a desperate life, using foodbanks.

“The defendant wasn’t living some sort of lavish lifestyle – he was living in a dark corner.”

Southway had managed to stay out of trouble for a decade after the birth of his son 10 years ago, his barrister told the court.

The defendant’s partner suffered a recent miscarriage, Mr Bebb revealed.

Judge Christopher Vosper KC told Southway he had been caught with a “significant amount of drugs”.

The defendant was jailed for three years.

As a result of him being granted bail by magistrates on electronically monitored curfew, 31 qualifying days will be taken off that prison term.

Southway will serve around half of his sentence in custody before being released on licence.

He must also pay a victim surcharge.