A drug dealer, who had plans to inundate the Valleys with cannabis sourced from California, was discovered in possession of Banksy artworks during a police raid. Christopher Scrivens, aged 37, is suspected of using proceeds from the drug trade to purchase various artworks, including pieces from the renowned artist Banksy. Among the seized artworks by Gwent Police are The Grappling Hook, Money Queen portrait, and The Watchtower Swing, with an estimated combined value exceeding £190,000. Additionally, law enforcement confiscated designer goods, a caravan, quad bikes, and jet skis valued at approximately £48,400.
The crackdown on Scrivens’ illicit activities began with a search warrant at his residence in Ebbw Vale in December 2019, where £11,800 in cash was found. The subsequent sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court revealed that Cory Roe, aged 39, was also involved and found with multiple packages of cannabis and cannabis plants. Scrivens’ partner, Rebecca Mills, aged 34, had a Banksy mosaic artwork seized from her home. Further investigations led to additional search warrants being executed, with Scrivens being linked to the importation and distribution of £136,000 worth of cannabis from California.
The court proceedings resulted in Scrivens receiving a three-year prison sentence for drug importation and conspiracy to supply class B drugs. Other individuals involved in the operation, such as Kyle Webber, Scott Hodkinson, Becky Williams, Daniel Jones, and Daniel Jenkins, also received sentences ranging from community orders to imprisonment for their roles in the conspiracy. In response to the case, Detective Chief Inspector Mike Preston of Gwent Police highlighted the complexity of the investigation, commending the efforts of law enforcement in seizing criminal assets and emphasizing that crime does not pay.
Preston urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to drug trafficking, underscoring the police’s commitment to combating organised crime and protecting communities from the harmful effects of drug dealers. The successful prosecution in this case underscored the importance of public cooperation in identifying and apprehending individuals involved in illegal activities, ultimately contributing to making neighbourhoods safer.