Friend who made £80,000 from drugs empire told to pay £1

A drug courier who made more than £80,000 from his drugs empire has been told to pay £1.

Jonathan Jackson, 34, and his girlfriend Katie Jones, 26, were returning from Liverpool in South Wales when they were stopped by police on the M4 between junction 30 for Cardiff East and junction 32 for Cardiff North and Merthyr Tydfil .

Police received information that the couple were potentially involved in the supply of drugs. The car was searched and more than £10,000 worth of cocaine was found in a center console. A total of 250g of the Class A drug was found, reports Wales Online.

Jones initially claimed he had traveled to Liverpool to see his family but they were not at home. Jackson, of Main Road, Abercynon, later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A controlled drugs.

READ MORE: The faces of 14 criminals who were jailed this week

READ MORE:

A court heard he had three previous convictions for unrelated matters. Jones, of Holly Street, Rhydyfelin, Pontypridd, later pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

The court heard she was of previous good character. Jackson was sentenced to a total of 33 months in prison. Jones was sentenced to 18 months in prison suspended for 24 months.

A Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, May 17, heard that Jackson benefited from £86,268 but had no available assets. He was ordered to repay a nominal sum of £1.

Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by subscribing to the Echo Daily newsletter here