Crime

Man jailed for growing £500,000 worth of drugs in Pembroke

Published

4 weeks ago

November 15, 2024

A MAN has been jailed after police uncovered a cannabis farm worth up to £500,000 at a former Lloyds Pharmacy in Pembroke.

Amarildo Daja, 27, was arrested during a raid at the vacant Main Street property at around 10:00am on Friday, October 18. Inside, officers found 575 cannabis plants spread across three rooms on the first floor. Daja pleaded guilty to being involved in the production of cannabis and was sentenced to 12 months in prison by Judge Geraint Walters.

***Caged: Amarildo Daja was sentenced to 12 months. (Image: Police)***

RAID AND ARREST

Swansea Crown Court heard that Daja initially tried to flee when officers arrived but returned inside and hid in the ceiling. After being coaxed down with a ladder, he was arrested. Prosecutor Harry Dickens said Daja had been living at the property to tend to the cannabis plants, and the building’s electricity supply had been tampered with to avoid detection.

Two mobile phones were seized at the scene, but one had been wiped, and the other was damaged.

PLANTS AND STREET VALUE

A drugs expert estimated that the plants could produce between 15 and 45 kilograms of cannabis, with a potential street value ranging from £170,000 to over £500,000.

In police interviews, Daja admitted paying a criminal gang to smuggle him into the UK via lorry. He initially worked in London to repay his debt but struggled to make enough money and agreed to work at the Pembroke cannabis farm three months before his arrest.

DEFENCE AND SENTENCING

Caitlin Brazel, defending, said Daja’s involvement in the operation was a mistake and out of character. “He is disheartened to have tarnished his good character,” she said, adding that he was realistic about receiving a custodial sentence.

Judge Walters expressed concerns about the broader issue of criminal gangs operating cannabis farms, stating: “If we want to bring down the Albanian criminal gangs that set up cannabis factories, we are going to have to find the ringleaders rather than just those who arrive on the back of a lorry.”

The judge also noted that Daja’s deportation upon release would be a matter for the Home Office.

***Grow busted: Building was Lloyds Pharmacy, Pembroke. (Image: Martin Cavaney/Herald)***

Crime

Warrant issued for Haverfordwest man accused of assault

Published

2 hours ago

December 11, 2024

Sarah Jane Absalom

A WARRANT without bail has been issued for David Guy, the Haverfordwest man accused of assaulting a person in Market Street, Haverfordwest, causing him actual bodily harm.

Guy, 48, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, was scheduled to appear before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, December 10. However, following his non-appearance, magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest without bail.

Guy is accused of assaulting Mr Andrew Mark Lloyd during an alleged incident in the town centre on August 8.

Crime

Haverfordwest man denies refusing blood specimen to police

Published

2 hours ago

December 11, 2024

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A HAVERFORDWEST man is to appear before magistrates for trial after refusing to provide a blood specimen to police officers.

Jamie Wilkinson was suspected of driving a vehicle on November 24 when not authorised to do so. However, the Crown claims that when he was asked to provide a blood specimen for further laboratory testing at Withybush Hospital, he refused to cooperate.

This week Wilkinson, 22, of North Court, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates where he denied the offence.

His trial will now take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on January 30, 2025.

Crime

Milford motorist banned again for drug-driving offence

Published

2 hours ago

December 11, 2024

Sarah-Jane Absalom

ALMOST a year to the day that Carl Whatling was convicted of drug-driving, the Milford motorist returned to the dock to plead guilty to driving after taking cocaine.

Whatling, 40, was pulled over by police officers as he drove his VW Polo along the A477 at Cleddau Bridge in the early hours of June 5.

A drugs wipe carried out by officers proved positive while further blood tests at the police station showed he had 200 mcg of the cocaine derivative benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50.

This week Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates that on December 6, 2023, Whatling was convicted of an identical drug-driving charge.

“He was being naive,” his solicitor, Liam Francis, told the Bench after Whatling, of Observatory Avenue, Hakin, pleaded guilty to the charge.

“This was a Wednesday night and he’d taken the substances a few days before. At the time of the offence, he was in a low place and his drug use had increased. He was having very little support from his family and friends.”

Mr Francis went on to say that since the offence was committed, Whatling has been in contact with his GP.

“He now feels that he’s making progress and he’s in a much better place,” he said.