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 deliver a package, as revealed in court.
Luke Campbell, a former member of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards who had served in Afghanistan, received £250 to transport the parcel from Swansea to Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire on August 8. While employed as a delivery driver for DPD, he had connected with the individual he was transporting the parcel for through work, but authorities intercepted the delivery at the Pont Abraham motorway services.
According to reports from Wales Online, Dyfed-Powys Police acted on intelligence about a Mercedes Sprinter van heading west on the M4 from Swansea. The van was stopped around 3:50 pm, and a search uncovered a Lidl shopping bag containing white powder blocks underneath the front passenger seat.
The court heard that Campbell, who was alone in the van, was arrested, and his iPhone was seized from the dashboard. Despite his arrest, he refused to disclose the phone’s pin code.
During transport to a Llanelli police station, Campbell was overheard saying, “I’ve been stitched up,” as per the prosecution by Dean Pulling. Additionally, digital scales with traces of white powder were discovered in a wardrobe at Campbell’s residence.
An investigation of the bag revealed significant quantities of cocaine with varying levels of purity. The wholesale value of the drugs was estimated to be about £33,000, with a potential street value reaching up to £187,700.
In his police interview, Campbell admitted to agreeing to be a courier for an acquaintance from DPD, knowing the bag contained either money or drugs. He also acknowledged using the scales found at his house with his girlfriend to portion drugs bought for music festivals.
Having pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply, Campbell, residing in Swansea, had no prior convictions but had received police cautions for common assault and battery.
According to his defense lawyer, Matt Murphy, Campbell had an impeccable record but had faced mental health challenges due to his military service, leading to financial struggles and poor choices. Judge Geraint Walters observed that Campbell had followed instructions from others and was handed a 32-month prison sentence.