18-year-old dealer who advertised drugs on Snapchat jailed

An 18-year-old who used Snapchat to advertise and sell drugs has been sentenced to three years in a young offenders institute.

Ethan Pope, of Lewis Drive, Churchill Park, Caerphilly, was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine, cannabis, ketamine, MDMA and xanax.

He was also charged with possession with intent to supply cannabis, as well as possession of ketamine and xanax.

The offences took place between December 2017 – when he was just 15-years-old – and November 2020.

Pope was arrested on November 24 last year after police found cannabis while searching his home.

He was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday, January 11. He had already pleaded guilty to the charges at an earlier hearing.

Pope was involved with fellow-drug dealers Adam O’Reilly, 18, and Kane Watkins, 19 – who were both jailed last year.

PC Rhys Jones, of Gwent Police, welcomed the sentencing and said: “Pope was supplying Class A, B and C drugs throughout the Caerphilly borough, which would have ultimately contributed to the misery of drug use on others.

“He boasted how much money he was making and had taken over as the main supplier from his other defendants, who are now in prison.

“Again, we thank the community for their support which has led to this conviction.

“Please keep telling us about your concerns about drug dealing so we can take action. You can report any concerns to us on 101 or alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”