A father of nine alleged that he was set up when police apprehended him with over 1.5 kilograms of cocaine following his agreement to transport a package, a court was told.
Luke Campbell, a former member of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards who had served in Afghanistan, received £250 to deliver the package from Swansea to Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire on August 8. Campbell, a 34-year-old DPD delivery driver, had met the recipient through work, but authorities intercepted the package at Pont Abraham motorway services.
According to Swansea Crown Court, Dyfed-Powys Police received information about a Mercedes Sprinter van traveling westward on the M4 from Swansea. The van was stopped by officers around 3:50 pm, and a search revealed a Lidl shopping bag under the front passenger seat containing white powder blocks.
The bag was found in a compartment beneath the front passenger seat of the van, where Campbell, the sole driver, was arrested. Authorities seized his iPhone from the dashboard, which he refused to unlock.
During the transport to a police station in Llanelli, Campbell reportedly claimed he had been set up. Additionally, digital scales with white powder traces were discovered in a bedroom wardrobe at his residence.
A forensic examination of the bag revealed a package labeled “Elite” containing one kilo of 84% pure cocaine, half a kilo of 68% pure cocaine, and a 123-gram block of 65% pure cocaine. 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 to acting as a courier for an individual he knew from DPD. He acknowledged being aware that the bag contained either money or drugs and disclosed that the scales found in his home were used by him and his girlfriend for drug division during music festivals.
Campbell, residing in Swansea, previously pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply. Despite a clean record, he had received police cautions for common assault and battery.
His defense attorney, Matt Murphy, highlighted Campbell’s military background, stating it significantly impacted his mental health. Financial struggles led Campbell down a regrettable path, associating with individuals he should have avoided.
Judge Geraint Walters noted that Campbell had followed instructions and was entrusted with a valuable cargo. Consequently, Campbell was sentenced to 32 months in prison.