Lawyer jailed for supplying cocaine after getting 'too close' to drug dealing client

The criminal defence solicitor of a drug dealer has been jailed for three years and six months after he became involved in supplying cocaine.

Ben Garvey, 38, encouraged his friends to purchase the class A drug over WhatsApp, and also passed messages between his client and a drug runner.

Garvey, from Port Talbot, was told by a judge at Bristol Crown Court that his actions had been "a clear abuse" of his position, after he was found guilty of supplying cocaine and perverting the course of justice.

His ex-client, Daniel Baker, 34, was jailed for three years and four months after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice and admitting conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Baker's drug runner, Jake Blackburn, 28, was jailed for four years and 10 months after being found guilty of perverting the course of justice, having previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

Garvey had been a partner at David W Harris Solicitors & Co based in Swansea, Pontypridd, and Talbot Green, and had met Baker in 2021 after purchasing cocaine from him.

The court heard he later represented Baker when he was arrested on suspicion of dealing drugs, and passed on messages between Baker and his drug runner Blackburn during his client's time in custody.

Prosecutor Ray Tully KC said: "The police investigation into Mr Baker led them to realise Mr Baker was involved in a drugs operation in south Wales, where he comes from, and there was an Oxford angle. He was sourcing and supplying drugs in the Oxford area."

Tully said another message from Blackburn to Garvey asked for Baker's iCloud username and password, which he said was so Blackburn could "delete or wipe information online" and "take care of things after the boss had been nicked".

"In the circumstances, the prosecution suggest the communication that took place is evidence they were all involved in relaying information to and from Mr Baker whilst he was in custody," Tully said.

"We say that it's an attempt to preserve and protect the drugs operation and carry on business whilst the boss is incarcerated, and the communication would be designed to hamper and impede the investigation that has got under way that day."

As a result of messages discovered on Baker's phone, Garvey and Blackburn were arrested and their electronic devices were seized.

Messages on Garvey's phone revealed he had been part of a WhatsApp group in which he encouraged and "egged on" friends to purchase cocaine. Images taken from the group included photos and videos of people using the drug.

Garvey was found guilty of perverting the course of justice, being concerned in the supply of Class A and C drugs, and encouraging or assisting in the commission of an offence.

Judge Cullum told Garvey while he had previously been "a hardworking and qualified solicitor" he had "found kudos by being around high status criminals".

The judge said he had "let down the whole profession of solicitors whose professionalism and diligence the criminal justice system depends on daily".

"It is a sad day for you today to be sentenced in a crown court," he said.

"You got too close to your client."