A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on 22 October 2026 heard that Louis Moates had benefited from drug dealing by £166,184 but had only £1,734 in available assets.[1] Judge Vanessa Francis ordered him to pay £1,784 within 12 weeks or serve an additional month in prison in default.[2]

Police first searched his home on 25 August 2023.[1] They seized cannabis, weighing scales and a grinder.[1] The cannabis weighed 122g and had a street value of £660 to £960.[1] A second search on 20 June 2024 found only his partner at home.[1] It seized 148.3g of cannabis worth £790 to £1,530, plus 143 codeine tablets and 141 diazepam tablets.[1] Moates was arrested at his workplace.[1] Messages on two mobile phones showed he supplied crack cocaine and cocaine.[1]

Moates, of Hollybush, Whitchurch, Cardiff, later pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and possession of Class C drugs.[1] The sentencing hearing was at Newport Crown Court in January 2026.[1] He was sentenced to a total of 187 weeks in prison.[1] The court heard he had no previous convictions.[3] His barrister said he had spent significant periods homeless, which coincided with his offending.[3]