Powys drug dealer arrested in shed spared jail after kicking habit

A Powys man who was supplying drugs to fund his own £1,000-a-week drug habit has received a suspended prison sentence after he turned his life around.

Dylan Mowles pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine, ketamine and cannabis when he appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court in September.

The 24-year-old admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine between December 29, 2024, and March 29, 2025; being concerned in the supply of cannabis during the same period; possession with intent to supply cannabis on March 28, 2025; and possession with intent to supply ketamine on the same date.

Mowles was handed a three-year prison sentence that was suspended for three years, when he returned to the court on Monday, November 9

Prosecuting, Ms Alycia Carpanini, said search warrant was executed at Mowles' home in Newgate Street, Brecon in March 2025.

He was discovered in a shed at the bottom of the garden which had a makeshift bed, clothing, a television, a games console and a heater in it, and he appeared to be living there.

Officers seized 3.39g of ketamine with a street value of between £50 to £60, 24.33g of ketamine worth £600 to £1,200, snap bag 18g of cannabis worth £220, two digital scales, two apple iPhones, £60 cash and 3.7g of cannabis worth £20-£40

Ms Carpanini said: "The devices that were examined contained messages indicative of drug supply. The messages showed customers requesting Class A and B drugs from the defendant. The defendant supplied directly to users."

She added that he gave a 'no comment' interview.

Ms Carpanini said Mowles was 22 at the time of the offence and is 24 now. He has five convictions for seven offences and is currently subject to two community orders – one for theft and two common assaults and one for possession of a bladed article. But she said he is not in breach of the orders.

Mitigating Ms Julia Cox, said Mowles had been out of trouble for the last 12 months and was appearing before the court drug-free"

She continued: "At the age of 17, he began using crack cocaine. He developed an addiction, which undoubtedly had an effect on his overall judgement and led to the offending that you're dealing today and other instances.

"He was essentially homeless, he was living in a shed, he was occasionally sofa surfing, but it was a chaotic lifestyle in which he was spending anywhere between £500 and £1,000 on substances every week."

Ms Cox said this created a debt to others, which led to him having to deal in order to fund his own habit.

But she said since he was arrested there has been "significant progress". He has fully engaged with drug support group Kaleidoscope, has secured supported accommodation, and is working part-time.

She added that a custodial sentence could "significantly impact" his progress.

Judge Richard Kember told Mowles from the outset that he was not going to send him to prison immediately.

He also said he would take into account what Mowles had said to him in a letter sent ahead of the hearing.

He continued: "That is an articulate, insightful and perceptive document, which was revealing.

“In my opinion you have turned things around since you became involved with the criminal justice system in 2025. The lapse of time since 2025 has allowed you to make significant progress,” he said.

Mowles was handed a three-year prison sentence for supplying cocaine, suspended for three years. For the other three offences, he was given nine months in custody, suspended for two years.

All sentences will run concurrently with one-another.

In the meantime, Mowles will have to complete a drug rehabilitation requirement for 12 months and 200 hours of unpaid work.

.Judge Kember also agreed the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and associated paraphernalia.

There was no order for costs and a victim surcharge must be paid.