EditorDRUG DEALING: Ammanford pair used ‘Chinese’ as codeword for cocaine orders — jailed after being caught waiting for a delivery in Swansea
Two men from Ammanford have been jailed after being caught supplying cocaine on the streets of Swansea — with an examination of their phones revealing drug users were ordering their fix by asking for a “Chinese.”
Jac Cadman, 23, of Florence Road, Ammanford, and Jamie Cook, 31, of Tabernacle Road, Glanaman, were spotted by officers on patrol in the Blaenymaes area of Swansea on March 13 this year, sitting in a parked Renault on Pentregethin Road. The officers noted the pair appeared “overly nervous and fidgety” and that the vehicle was registered and insured to a provisional licence holder.
A search under the Misuse of Drugs Act uncovered 28g of cocaine and £470 in cash in Cadman’s pockets, and 5g of cocaine and £880 in cash on Cook. Three mobile phones were also seized.
Subsequent searches of the defendants’ home addresses revealed further cash — £1,620 and an additional $1,330 in US currency were found at Cadman’s property.
Swansea Crown Court heard that messages on Cadman’s phone showed “clear evidence of involvement in the supply of cocaine,” and that he had been waiting in Pentregethin Road to collect a delivery for onward supply at the time of his arrest.
Cook’s phone told a more colourful story. Caitlin Brazel, prosecuting, told the court that a large number of messages from known drug users referred to buying “Chinese” — which she said appeared to be a codeword for cocaine. The prosecution said police concluded Cook’s phone was being used as the drugs line.
Investigators were also able to link messages from a phone seized in a separate drugs investigation in 2025 to Cook, suggesting he had been involved in supplying cocaine since at least 2024. Cook had previously been convicted in 2022 of possession with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of cocaine after being caught operating as a street dealer in the Penlan area of Swansea by a plain-clothed police officer.
Both men answered “no comment” to all questions in interview, save for Cadman telling officers he worked in tarmacking.
The court heard that Cadman, who has no previous convictions, had begun drinking and taking drugs as a teenager as an escape from the pressures of being a carer for his parents. His barrister said he had found himself in debt and turned to dealing as a result, and that he was “deeply ashamed” of the impact on his family — including an unborn child.
Cook’s barrister told the court his client had experienced adverse childhood experiences linked to his mother’s addiction issues, and that the breakdown of a relationship following his 2022 imprisonment had seen him turn back to drugs. While on remand, the court heard, Cook had reflected on his situation and hoped to undertake the 12 Steps addiction programme upon release.
Recorder Greg Bull KC, sentencing, said those who involve themselves in Class A drug supply are “dealing in human misery” and that the courts would always treat such offending seriously.
With one-third discounts for their guilty pleas, Cadman was sentenced to 28 months in prison and Cook to 40 months. Both will serve no more than half their sentences in custody before being released on licence.
Sergeant Luke Tucker, of South Wales Police, said: “Both Jac Cadman and Jamie Cook will have felt great when they thought that their Class A drug dealing was going to net them a quick windfall. However, unfortunately for them, that feeling was quickly shattered when officers caught them in the act.
“Both will now follow in the footsteps of other drug dealers who have plagued the streets of Swansea as they rightfully head to prison.”
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Drug gang busted: Swansea man jailed as cocaine network smashed in multi-area operation
More of our coverage of Class A drug supply sentences from Swansea Crown Court.
Five jailed after street brawl saw family arm themselves with nail-studded plank in revenge attack
Another recent sentencing story from Swansea Crown Court.
Ken Everett (Ken's Blogspot)
