A laughing drug dealer who gloated about claiming benefits while waving around wads of cash has been jailed for 40 months.
Iestyn Raven, 24, was handed his sentence after appearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court yesterday.
Raven pleaded guilty to being in the supply of both heroin and crack cocaine, and acquiring criminal property.
However, South Wales Police released footage of the 24-year-old speaking to Universal Credit about when he would receive his latest payment.
Iestyn Raven in a video gloating about his Universal Credit claim
SOUTH WALES POLICE
Raven, who was arrested some time after the video, was heard saying: “Obviously I haven’t had my payment and I’m obviously skint.”
“I’m looking to see when the appointment is. Just struggling, I am, for money right now.”
The drug dealer was seen laughing and waving around large sums of “drug money” throughout the 15-second video.
He also flashed a number of items of gold jewellery, including a bracelet and necklace.
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A series of screenshots showing Raven gloating about his drug money and jewellery
SOUTH WALES POLICE
A series of other drugs arrests led officers to the 24 year-old Barry man behind the “Ronnie and Reggie” drug line.
The group, which operates throughout the Vale of Glamorgan, supplies crack cocaine and heroin throughout the area.
Raven was actually identified by officers after he was caught on CCTV topping up data for one of the phones he used to sell drugs.
The 24-year-old was arrested on September 30 after being spotted by officers from the Cardiff and Vale Organised Crime Team at a McDonald’s drive through in Barry.
A mugshot of Iestyn Raven
SOUTH WALES POLICE
Officers later recovered a drug phone, crack cocaine, heroin, cash and high-value designer clothing from Raven’s home.
Responding to Raven’s sentence, Detective Inspector Tim Jones said**:** “Iestyn Raven was making a substantial amount of money from his drug dealing and living a life of relative luxury at the expense of others.
“His contemptuous disregard for the damage he was causing is plain to see – he certainly isn’t laughing now and he deserves to be in prison where he can reflect on the path he chose for himself and the misery he has inflicted through his drug dealing.
“Rest assured we will be using the Proceeds of Crime Act to ensure he doesn’t benefit from any ill-gotten gains when he is released.”
