PONTYPOOL, Wales — Convicted drug dealer James Hallett, 34, has been ordered to hand over nearly £12,000 in assets after making more than £70,000 through criminal activity, a court has heard.
Hallett was previously jailed in 2024 after police caught him inside Betfred on Osborne Road in Pontypool town centre. A search of his Range Rover Evoque revealed amphetamines worth £16,000, high-purity cocaine, cannabis, and £5,000 in cash.
This week, at a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing, Cardiff Crown Court was told Hallett had profited by £71,171.16 from his drug dealing. He currently has £11,939.82 in assets, which he must surrender or face an additional nine months in jail.
Hallett, of Fair View, Pengam, Blackwood, had admitted:
Possession with intent to supply cocaine
Possession with intent to supply amphetamine
Possession with intent to supply cannabis
Possession of criminal property
Driving without a licence and without insurance
At the time of the offense, Hallett was on licence following a six-year sentence in 2021 for being involved in the supply of cocaine and heroin. In total, he has 19 previous convictions for 30 offenses.
Prosecutor Dan Jones said the drugs seized were of high value and intended for distribution. Defense lawyer Kevin Seal requested credit for Hallett’s guilty pleas.
Judge Recorder David Warner described the case as a clear example of the harm drug dealing causes, telling Hallett:
“This was the trafficking of misery and you were heavily involved in it. You were carrying significant amounts of drugs while already on licence for similar offences.”
Hallett was sentenced to four years and four months in prison.
