A pair of drug peddlers apprehended while distributing heroin and cocaine throughout Newport have begun substantial prison terms.
Craig Jones and Rhys Probert, both 40 years old, received sentences of three years and nine months each.
Jones’ partner, Sarah Rees, 44, from Elm Drive in Ty Sign, Risca, also participated in their criminal enterprise.
She received a suspended sentence at Cardiff Crown Court.
The prosecution, led by Laurence Jones, explained that Probert, from Prince Street in Newport, was found with 250 grams of heroin at his residence when officers executed an arrest.
Jones and Rees were taken into custody on Rembrandt Way in the city.
Officers discovered 16 packages of cocaine valued at £500 on Jones, along with three packages of heroin worth £60 on the street.
Their arrests occurred last October.
Jones, from Wheeler Street in Newport, and Probert entered guilty pleas to charges of possessing heroin with intent to supply and possessing cocaine with intent to supply.
Probert additionally admitted to carrying a blade in a public area on Pugsley Street in Newport.
Rees admitted guilt to involvement in supplying heroin and involvement in supplying cocaine.
The court heard that Jones had previously served three years and six months in prison in 2013 after being convicted of possessing heroin with intent to supply and possessing cocaine with intent to supply.
Probert had amassed 44 prior convictions spanning 132 separate offences.
The majority involved theft and motoring violations, though one related to possessing an offensive weapon dated 2008.
Rees had maintained an unblemished record until this matter.
Gareth Williams, representing Jones, informed the court his client had been tackling his substance dependency while held on remand following his arrest.
Harry Baker, counsel for father-of-two Probert, highlighted that his client had no prior drug trafficking convictions.
Jon Tarrant, acting for Rees, submitted that his client had experienced a deterioration in circumstances and had recently developed drug dependencies stemming from personal difficulties.
He further described her as someone in a vulnerable state.
The presiding judge, Recorder Greg Bull KC, explained to Jones and Probert that they would serve approximately half of their 45-month terms in custody before being released under licence.
Rees was sentenced to two years imprisonment, with the sentence suspended for the subsequent 18 months.
She must complete 150 hours of community service and undertake a 15-day rehabilitation programme.
All three defendants are required to pay a statutory victim surcharge.