Crime

Parents urged to be vigilant as three locals jailed for cannabis ‘sweet’ production

Published

2 months ago

October 27, 2024

POLICE are urging parents to remain vigilant following the sentencing of three individuals involved in a large-scale operation producing cannabis-laced gummies in Haverfordwest. The scheme, which used sweets to disguise cannabis, has raised concerns over the risk such products pose to children and young people.

The operation was discovered after Merlins Bridge sorting office staff intercepted a package with a strong smell of cannabis, addressed to a home on Primrose Hill. Inside, authorities found a container filled with cannabis distillate. This led to a police raid at the address, where John Miles, his daughter Chay Miles, and her teenage boyfriend, Kyle Gadsby, were found with branded packaging, cannabis distillate, and sweets in various stages of production.

***The case was heard at Swansea Crown Court before Judge Huw Rees KC***

In total, 11.51 kilograms of sweets had already been infused with cannabis, with a further 14.11 kilograms prepared for processing. A drugs expert estimated the market value of the haul at between £11,820 and £19,666.

During questioning, Gadsby attempted to downplay the substantial stash of sweets, claiming it was to save on shop visits for children. However, evidence presented in court revealed that the edibles had been marketed on social media, with positive reviews on Instagram and Snapchat describing them as “f***ing banging” with “fast delivery.”

***Edibles: A warning has been given to parents***

John Miles, 51, Chay Miles, 28, and 19-year-old Gadsby all pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cannabis on June 5, 2024. They also admitted to involvement in cannabis supply from August 2023 until the June raid.

In court, Judge Huw Rees KC highlighted the serious nature of their offences, noting that disguising cannabis as sweets posed a particular danger to “the vulnerable, the uninitiated, and the naïve.” He described the operation as a “production line” with the potential to serve as an entry point to drugs for unsuspecting young individuals.

The court also heard that John Miles had only been out of prison for four months prior to the raid, having previously served time for cocaine and cannabis supply offences. His daughter Chay, a single mother of three, reportedly joined the scheme due to financial struggles. Gadsby, who had a troubled background, had been involved in the operation for just a month. He also faced charges from unrelated incidents in Northampton, including drug possession, dangerous driving, and possession of a bladed article.

Judge Rees sentenced John Miles to three years in prison, with both Chay Miles and Kyle Gadsby receiving 27 months each. He remarked that the defendants had exploited social media to market their products to an impressionable audience and stressed that, while some may view cannabis edibles as harmless, this operation represented “a serious commercial enterprise with significant public health implications.”

Following the case, local police reiterated their warning to parents about the potential for drugs to appear in unexpected forms, especially those designed to appeal to children and teens.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”

Crime

Sex offender jailed for breaching court order

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Court Reporter

A SEX offender from Wolfscastle has been jailed after using fake names on WhatsApp and attempting to access a social media app, breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Luke Rogers, 38, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to two breaches of the order, which was imposed following his 2020 conviction for sexual activity with a child.

Under the SHPO, Rogers was prohibited from using unregistered internet-enabled devices or creating online profiles under false names. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that police monitoring software installed on Rogers’ phone detected activity in group chats under three aliases last November.

Further investigation revealed Rogers had also searched for the MeetMe app on four occasions and admitted using it. Rogers, described by Mr. Bowen as “apologetic,” was arrested, and his phone was seized.

The court heard Rogers has a history of 17 convictions for 35 offences, including breaching court orders and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Defence barrister Olivia Rose said Rogers had cooperated fully with police and expressed a desire to change. She argued that his breaches stemmed from a misunderstanding about permitted names and emphasized his efforts to seek support.

Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Catherine Richards noted Rogers’ pattern of reoffending and stated: “The reality is I can only pass an immediate custodial sentence.”

She expressed hope that Rogers would take advantage of post-sentence supervision to break the cycle of offending.

Crime

Police renew appeal to find Darren Markes from Pembroke Dock

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

POLICE in Pembrokeshire are renewing their appeal for information to locate Darren Markes, 46, from Pembroke Dock. He is wanted in connection with a domestic assault.

Markes is believed to have links to the Portsmouth and Sussex areas.

If you have seen Darren Markes or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact the police through one of the following methods: