A criminal defence solicitor who became involved in the supply of cocaine and class C drugs is among three men jailed following a major South Wales Police investigation.
Ben Garvey, Daniel Baker, and Jake Blackburn were investigated as part of Operation Kilau – a complex investigation led by the Serious Organised Crime Team with support from the Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit.
The investigation uncovered evidence of cocaine supply involving the three men, who knew one another and had links to the Sandfields area of Port Talbot.
At the time of offending, Garvey was practising as a criminal defence solicitor.
The investigation began after Baker was arrested in August, 2021 in connection with separate cocaine supply offences, when Garvey and his firm represented him.
But analysis of mobile phones and other devices uncovered that Garvey himself was also involved in the supply of drugs.
Officers found that Blackburn had been distributing drugs on Baker’s behalf. There were also messages revealing cocaine being supplied to Garvey.
Police searched Garvey’s home back in September, 2021, resulted in officers seizing further mobile devices and steroids, a class C drug.
Further examination of devices revealed Garvey’s direct involvement in the supply of cocaine and steroids among his associates.
Garvey was an active member of a 17-person Whatsapp Group in which members discussed sourcing and supplying cocaine between 2020 and 2021. Messages between the group also include footage of cocaine being used and images of wholesale quantities drug.
While Baker was in custody in August 2021, Garvey acted as an intermediary for criminal messages between Baker and Blackburn.
Following a trial which ran through July and August (2026) the three men were convicted for offences relating to drug supply and perverting the course of justice.
All three were sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday, August 29, 2026:
- Ben Garvey was jailed for three years and six months for being concerned in the supply of steroids; being concerned in the supply of cocaine; assisting or encouraging the supply of cocaine; and perverting the course of justice.
- Daniel Baker was jailed for three years and four months for being concerned in the supply of cocaine with Jake Blackburn; and perverting the course of justice.
- Jake Blackburn was jailed for four years and ten months for being concerned in the supply of cocaine with Daniel Baker; and perverting the course of justice.
At the time of sentencing, Daniel Baker was already serving a custodial sentence, having been arrested by Tarian officers and subsequently convicted of breaching a Serious Crime Prevention Order.
Senior Investigating Officer, Chief Inspector Russ Jenkins, said:
“This was an extremely complex investigation requiring the careful handling of a significant volume of legally privileged material.
Ben Garvey was a practising criminal defence solicitor throughout the period of offending, which spanned several years. As an officer of the court, he had a clear duty to uphold the integrity of the criminal justice system. Instead, he chose to abuse that position of trust by actively engaging in the very criminality he was professionally bound to challenge.
“The sentences imposed today reflect the seriousness of these offences and should serve as a clear warning to others involved in organised drug supply.”
