Criminal used boy to carry out his sinister plan

A drug dealer sold heavily adulterated cocaine to a boy before recruiting him to sell drugs for him. He and two men were involved in a conspiracy to supply cocaine to drug users and downstream suppliers in order to make a "quick profit".

Ryan Greening, 32, Adam Hartery, 32, and Daniel Laity, 31, came to the attention of the police following a drugs arrest where mobile phones were seized and messages relating to the supply of cocaine was discovered. They demonstrated they were each involved in a conspiracy together and with others.

A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Tuesday heard Greening had supplied a youth with heavily adulterated drugs. 

In another message, he spoke to a customer regarding a drug debt, having supplied cocaine on credit and "tick".

When it came to street deals, Greening supplied amounts between 0.5g and 3.5g.

Greening also supplied wholesale quantities to downstream dealers in ounce amounts.

He directed the youth to whom he supplied drugs to supply to others and employed him as a runner who was acting under his direction.

The youth sent out bulk text messages advertising drugs for sale and became "distressed" at his ongoing involvement, which saw him fielding direct requests from drug users.

Prosecutor Tom Roberts said Laity was also a runner for Greening and supplied drugs to customers under his direction and collected cash on his behalf.

He was also sold wholesale quantities by Greening for onward supply.

There were messages between Hartery and Greening, in which they discussed supplying 14g of cocaine.

Hartery was also involved in supplying directly to users, but had to seek permission from those further up the chain in order to sell drugs on "tick".

He was also trying to recruit others to work under him as runners and discussed making a "quick profit" from particular drug deals.

Hartery also stored drugs for Greening and was paid in drugs.

Each of the defendants were arrested on September 19 last year and answered no comment in interview. All three later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Greening, of Charlotte Place, Barry, has six previous convictions, including an offence of possession with intent to supply a class B drug and being concerned in the supply of a class A drug.

Hartery, of Clos Yr Harbwr, Barry, has two previous convictions for unrelated matters.

Laity, of St Nicholas Road, Barry, has no previous convictions.

In mitigation, Kathryn Lane, for Greening, said her client's grandfather, who he viewed as a father figure, was extremely ill and he regrets putting his family in the position they find themselves in.

Peter Donnison, for Laity, said his client became involved in order to fund his own habit and to make money, but had little knowledge of the overall scale of the operation.

The barrister said the defendant had attempted to come off drugs "cold turkey" which led to his mental health spiralling but he is now using medication to address his issues.

Christopher Evans, for Hartery, said his client is a family man with three children and that he worked for Vale of Glamorgan Council for 17 years as a loader but had issues with cannabis, alcohol, and cocaine, which he is now addressing.

Recorder Paul Lewis KC sentenced Greening to six years imprisonment. Hartery was sentenced to three years and six months imprisonment. Laity was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment.