A dealer of illegal substances who received almost four years in prison for involvement in a scheme to distribute cocaine earned just £629.
Ashley Coughlan, aged 42, was part of a criminal organisation selling the class A drug alongside cannabis across Newport, Caldicot, Abertillery, Swansea, Merthyr Tydfil and the wider West Country region.
The accused, residing in Caerleon Road, Newport received a sentence of three years and nine months in March after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine.
His assets examination took place at the city’s crown court where prosecutor Roger Griffiths explained how Coughlan benefited to the meagre sum of £629.76.
Judge Carl Harrison issued a confiscation order for that amount.
The court was told the money was already in police possession.
When Coughlan received his sentence earlier this year, the organised crime group was headed by Danny Tomlin from Gloucestershire who was operating a garden centre named Kitts Green Nursery as a front for his activities.
His close associate was Louis Maxwell from Newport, Mr Griffiths stated.
Tomlin managed two cannabis cultivation sites in Pontllanfraith, Blackwood and in Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf which were dismantled by police during the summer.
Several members of the group were engaged in distributing both class A and class B substances between January 2025 and June 2025.
Mr Griffiths told the court that police had installed listening devices in vehicles driven by Tomlin. He was recorded discussing the raids in Pontllanfraith and Porth. He also spoke about plans to grow more cannabis and the debts owed to him.
The other gang members and their penalties were:
Louis Maxwell, 39, from Newport was imprisoned for six years after he admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
Ryan Battersby, 36, of Buttermere Way, Newport was sentenced to six years after being convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
Danny Tomlin, 40, of Valley Road, Wotton-under-Edge was given 10 years and 10 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis and cultivating cannabis.
Bradley Williams, 38, formerly of Abertillery, now of Llanrhidian Holiday Park, Swansea received five years and nine months after he admitted conspiracy to supply cannabis, offering to supply cocaine, offering to supply ketamine and possession of criminal property.
Jack Griffin, 21, of Westfield Way, Newport was sentenced to six months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis. He will be released immediately because of time already served.
Christopher Preston, 68, of Lawnside, Forest Green, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire was given five years after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply cannabis.
David Gorman, 41, of Manor Lane, Charfield, South Gloucestershire was imprisoned for four years and four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine.
Kory Preece, 25, of Mabey Drive, Chepstow was given 15 months, suspended for two years, after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply cannabis. He must carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and complete a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement.