// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Lawyer jailed for supplying cocaine after getting 'too close' to drug dealing client
A judge told Ben Garvey that he had "let down the whole profession of solicitors"
The criminal defence solicitor of a drug dealer has been jailed for three years and six months after he became involved in supplying cocaine.
Ben Garvey, 38, encouraged his friends to purchase the class A drug over WhatsApp, and also passed messages between his client and a drug runner.
Garvey, from Port Talbot, was told by a judge at Bristol Crown Court that his actions had been "a clear abuse" of his position, after he was found guilty of supplying cocaine and perverting the course of justice.
His ex-client, Daniel Baker, 34, was jailed for three years and four months after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice and admitting conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Baker's drug runner, Jake Blackburn, 28, was jailed for four years and 10 months after being found guilty of perverting the course of justice, having previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
Garvey was part of a WhatsApp group in which he encouraged and "egged on" friends to purchase cocaine
Garvey had been a partner at David W Harris Solicitors & Co based in Swansea, Pontypridd, and Talbot Green, and had met Baker in 2021 after purchasing cocaine from him.
The court heard he later represented Baker when he was arrested on suspicion of dealing drugs, and passed on messages between Baker and his drug runner Blackburn during his client's time in custody.
Prosecutor Ray Tully KC said: "The police investigation into Mr Baker led them to realise Mr Baker was involved in a drugs operation in south Wales, where he comes from, and there was an Oxford angle. He was sourcing and supplying drugs in the Oxford area."