He had a 'breakdown' and dropped out of university due to drugs - now he has to hand over £30k | Wales Online

He had a 'breakdown' and dropped out of university due to drugs - now he has to hand over £30kJosh Murphy, 26, said his drug dependency caused him an 'emotional breakdown'. He's now in

prison and facing a huge billNewsPhilip Dewey Court Correspondent15:46, 04 Jun 2025Josh Murphy, 25, was found in possession of more than £1,000 worth of cocaine after police stopped him

while he was driving under the influence of cannabis(Image: South Wales Police) A university drop out found in possession of more than £1,000 worth of cocaine after he was stopped by police

while driving under the influence of cannabis. has been ordered to pay back almost £30,000.

Josh Murphy, 26, was also discovered to have messages on his phone which showed he had been involved in dealing cocaine and cannabis. He was pulled over by police in Bridgend on May 20,

2023, while driving a Ford Fiesta.

‌ Officers noticed a strong smell of cannabis coming from the car and the defendant tested positive for the drug. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter.

‌ Murphy was asked if there was anything in the car, and he told the officer there was a Tesco bag containing cannabis.

The bag was found to contain a number of items of drug paraphernalia including rolling papers, a grinder, empty pots, lighters, weighing scales, and a jar containing cannabis.

In the defendant's wallet was found £400 in cash and a packet of white powder found to be cocaine.

Article continues below An iPhone was seized from the car, and when examined was found to contain messages relating to the supply of cocaine and cannabis to six numbers.

A further search of the car was carried out with a police dog, which led to the discovery of a cylindrical pot which contained 11 grip seal bags of cocaine.

A search of Murphy's home in Deri Avenue, Pencoed, resulted in the discovery of £730 in cash, cocaine in a green bag, two packets of diazepam tablets, weighing scales and zip lock bags.

‌ The total amount of drugs seized included 58 street deals of cocaine, weighing a total of 22.13g, with a street value between £1,160 and £1,740.

There were a total of four street deals of cannabis weighing 1.8g, with a street value of £20.

Murphy later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine, cannabis and bromazepam, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, and supplying cannabis.

‌ He did so on the basis that he was dependent on drugs, using up to three to four grams of cocaine on a night out and 0.5 to one ounce of cannabis per week.

The defendant said his drug dependency led to an "emotional breakdown" which led him to drop out of university.

The court heard he had one previous conviction for drug driving, committed on the same day as the current offences.

‌ Murphy was sentenced to a total of three years imprisonment.

A Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing at Newport Crown Court on Friday heard the defendant benefited to the tune of £33,958 as a result of his offending, but only had assets worth £29,535.

Judge Daniel Williams ordered Murphy to pay that sum within three months or serve an additional 12 months imprisonment in default.

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