A man with nine children asserted that he was set up after being apprehended by law enforcement with over one-and-a-half kilograms of cocaine when he agreed to deliver a package for payment, as revealed in court.
Luke Campbell, a former member of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards who had served in Afghanistan, received £250 to transport the parcel from Swansea to Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire on August 8. Despite being employed as a delivery driver for DPD, Campbell was caught when the package was intercepted at the Pont Abraham motorway services.
According to proceedings at Swansea Crown Court, Dyfed-Powys Police received information about a Mercedes Sprinter van heading west along the M4 from Swansea. The van was stopped by officers at approximately 3:50pm that day, leading to the discovery of a Lidl shopping bag hidden under the front passenger seat containing blocks of white powder.
The court heard that Campbell, driving the van alone, was arrested, and his iPhone was confiscated, though he declined to disclose the passcode. Prosecutors stated that during transportation to a police station, Campbell was overheard saying he was framed. Additionally, digital scales with traces of white powder were found at his residence.
A detailed examination of the contents of the bag unveiled a large package labeled “Elite” containing a kilogram of cocaine at 84% purity, a half-kilogram block at 68% purity, and a 123-gram block at 65% purity. The estimated wholesale value of the drugs was around £33,000, with a potential street value of up to £187,700.
In police interviews, Campbell admitted agreeing to be a courier for an acquaintance from DPD, receiving £250 for collecting the package in Swansea and delivering it to Saundersfoot. He confessed to knowing the bag contained either money or drugs as he was aware of the sender’s involvement in drug dealing. Campbell also acknowledged using the scales found at his home with his girlfriend to portion drugs purchased for music festivals.
Having previously pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, Campbell, residing in Swansea, had no prior convictions but had received police cautions for common assault and battery. His defense lawyer attributed his actions to financial struggles and mental health issues resulting from military service.
In sentencing Campbell to 32 months in prison, Judge Geraint Walters recognized that the defendant had been following orders and entrusted with valuable cargo by others.