A man who ran a million-pound steroid and prescription pill dealing operation from his modest Swansea home has been jailed for five years. Jason Partridge, 41, had almost £1.5m paid into six bank accounts over six years despite having no legitimate source of income, Swansea Crown Court heard.
Police raid uncovers thousands of pills and steroids
On February 4, 2024, police executed a search warrant at Partridge's home in Fforestfach, Swansea. Officers found a large quantity of pharmaceutical prescription drugs and anabolic steroids, many in multi-pack boxes prepared for postal supply. The haul included 135 pregabalin tablets, 800 tramadol tablets, 900 zopiclone tablets, and more than 1,100 bromazolam tablets, a new psychoactive substance often sold as diazepam. Liquid steroids such as testosterone, nandrolone, boldenone, trenbolone, mesterolone, and human chronic gonadotropin were also seized.
The search also uncovered 650 pre-paid postal packages, digital weighing scales, notebooks with price lists, a large number of syringes and needles, phones, and bundles of postal receipts in chocolate tubs. Some items were found in a cupboard in a child's bedroom.
Phone PIN guessed by detective
Partridge refused to reveal the PIN for his phone after his arrest, but the investigating officer successfully guessed the code, gaining access to messages on the encrypted Telegram app. Messages over the previous 12 months related to orders for diazepam and anabolic steroids, along with bank and payment details. Partial downloads showed Partridge ordering drugs for onward supply and complaining about losing customers, even considering price cuts to maintain profit.
Prosecutor Dean Pulling told the court that a financial investigation revealed Partridge had six accounts with Bank of Scotland, HSBC, Santander, and TSB, including one in his daughter's name. A total of £1,483,930 in unexplained cash deposits and transfers had been paid in over six years. HMRC checks showed no self-assessment records, PAYE employment, or tax credits for Partridge from 2018 to 2023.
Previous convictions and sentencing
Partridge, of Clos Aneira, Fforestfach, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of anabolic steroids, possession of zopiclone, bromazolam, and tramadol with intent to supply, and possession of criminal property. He had previous convictions for 18 offences, including possession of Class B and C drugs with intent to supply in 2005 and supplying anabolic steroids and possession of cocaine with intent to supply in 2009.
With discounts for his guilty pleas, Partridge was sentenced to five years in prison. He will serve half in custody before being released on licence.
After sentencing, Detective Inspector Richard George of South Wales Police said: "Jason Partridge was running a million-pound drugs operation from his modest home in Fforestfach and was not involved in any legitimate form of employment or other legal work. He wanted to cheat the system; to get rich quick with the aid of illegal substances. It has, happily, blown up in his face."
