A Swansea man with a lengthy history of drug dealing has been sentenced to more than five years in prison after being caught with cocaine, cannabis, and a large sum of cash.
Dean Kelshaw, 40, of Swansea city centre, was stopped and searched by police in June. Officers found him carrying a significant amount of cash and a mobile phone receiving frequent calls — a common indicator of street-level drug dealing. Nearby, a bag containing a substantial quantity of cocaine was discovered on the ground.
Kelshaw admitted to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs (cocaine), possession of criminal property, and possession of a Class B drug (cannabis). He was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison.
Sergeant Luke Tucker of South Wales Police said:
“Dean Kelshaw, who has multiple previous convictions for these same offences, has shown absolutely no willingness to turn his life around. The illegal drugs he was selling on the streets of Swansea will do untold damage to those who end up using them and their wider community. He didn’t care about that – he only cared about making illegal money. He is now deservedly starting a prolonged spell in prison.”
Kelshaw has a history of similar offences. In January 2023, he was jailed after police found him with cocaine and crack cocaine during a stop in Swansea. He was with two associates, and officers also recovered cash and multiple mobile phones tied to drug activity.
Earlier, in October 2017, he was arrested for delivering cocaine to a customer, an incident that also resulted in imprisonment.
South Wales Police emphasized that Kelshaw’s continued involvement in drug dealing, despite previous sentences, demonstrates the seriousness of his crimes and the need for firm legal consequences.
