A “brazen” spice dealer was caught after eagle-eyed CCTV operators spotted him acting suspiciously near Neath train station.
When police swooped on Gregory John they found he had 13 spice deals in his possession along with two lock knives.
A judge told the 34-year-old the combination of drugs and knives was “potent and dangerous” as he sent him to prison.
Ashanti-Jade Walton, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court police were alerted to John on the evening of December 29, 2017, by CCTV operators in Neath town centre.
The court heard John was seen talking to group of youngsters near the town’s train station and operators, believing he may be involved in dealing, alerted police.
Officers found John chatting to men near a parked van and as they approached him he appeared “nervous and pale”.
When told he was going to be searched on suspicious of drug dealing he replied: “I want to see the proof – I read about police misusing their powers.”
The prosecutor said John was handcuffed and searched and was found to be carrying 10 deals of spice plus 17 Valium tablets and a lock knife.
The officers were then told by the CCTV operators John had earlier placed a rucksack in the van. The bag was recovered from the footwell of the vehicle and inside were three further spice deals and another lock knife.
In his interview he denied the knife found in his rucksack was his, saying police may have planted it.
John, of Longford Road, Neath Abbey, Neath, admitted possession of a synthetic cannabinoid with intent to supply, possession of diazepam, and two counts of possession of a bladed article.
Anthony O’Connell, for John, said his client had begun smoking spice then turned to dealing to fund his use of the drug.
He said at no stage had the lock knives been on display or their use been threatened.
Judge Paul Thomas QC told John he had been “brazenly” supplying the drug spice outside Neath train station while in possession of two knives.
He said: “Knives and drugs are a dangerous and potent combination.”
John was jailed for 12 months.
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