Matthew Roberts, 24, was found in possession of heroin and crack cocaine when police raided his home
13:30, 19 Sep 2026
Matthew Roberts, 24, was found in possession of £175,000 worth of heroin and cocaine when police raided his home.(Image: Gwent Police)
A man found with £175,000 worth of heroin and crack cocaine after he was arrested following a police raid has been ordered to pay back just £10,000. Weighing scales and cash were also recovered from his car.
Matthew Roberts, 24, was arrested after officers from Gwent Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit raided an address in Newport in November last year. During the search of the property in Hendre Farm Drive, Ringland, police seized heroin, cocaine and mobile phones.
The class A drugs seized were found to have a street value of up to £175,000. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here.
Officers also seized weighing scales and cash from the address and the defendant’s car. Roberts was sentenced to five years imprisonment, at a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court earlier this year.
Following the hearing, PC Matthew Tucker, of Gwent Police, said: “During his custody interview, Roberts chose to remain silent and did not answer the questions we put to him about the class A drugs and cash we seized from his address.
“However, the evidence of Roberts’ illegal activities was overwhelming and he had little option but to admit the charges he faced in court.
“Criminals, like Roberts, are only interested in the profits they make; they do not care about the pain and misery they can cause to vulnerable people and their families.
“We will continue to target those who sell and supply illegal drugs in the Newport area and further afield, filling our communities with suffering and fear.
“We receive regular intelligence from our communities and we’re grateful for the continued support. Please report your concerns and information to us.”
At a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing at Newport Crown Court on Thursday, it was heard Roberts benefited to the tune of £121,837 as a result of his offending, but only has assets worth £10,373.
Judge Daniel Williams ordered the defendant to pay that sum in the form of a confiscation order.
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