Laughing drug-dealer who filmed himself with wads of cash while claiming benefits has smile wiped off face by jail term
A LAUGHING drug dealer who filmed himself with wads of cash while claiming benefits is no longer smiling after he was locked up.
Iestyn Raven, 24, could be seen wearing chunky gold necklaces and other flash jewellery as he begged Universal Credit for more money.
The dealer laughed as he told the call operator: "Obviously I haven't had my payment and I'm obviously skint."
Raven then picks up a huge bundle of cash and begins fanning himself with it.
He then begs: "I'm looking to see when the appointment is. Just struggling I am for money right now."
Grinning Raven is then seen swapping the phone for the cash as he moans about his apparent lack of funds.
But the smile was wiped off his face when he was locked up for 40 months after he admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin, crack cocaine and acquiring criminal property.
Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court was told Raven was behind a drug line called "Ronnie and Reggie".
The racket flooded the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales with crack cocaine and heroin.
He was arrested on September 30 by South Wales Police, who spotted him in the passenger seat of a car at a McDonald's drive through.
Officers had identified Raven after he was caught on CCTV topping up data for one of the phones he used to run his drug line.
His home in Barry was raided, with cops discovering the mobile in his bedside table.
Police also seized crack cocaine, heroin, cash and high-value designer clothing.
Detective Inspector Tim Jones said: "Iestyn Raven was making a substantial amount of money from his drug dealing and living a life of relative luxury at the expense of others.
"His contemptuous disregard for the damage he was causing is plain to see - he certainly isn't laughing now and he deserves to be in prison where he can reflect on the path he chose for himself and the misery he has inflicted through his drug dealing.
"Rest assured we will be using the Proceeds of Crime Act to ensure he doesn't benefit from any ill-gotten gains when he is released."