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Trial for Whitland ‘cannabis factory’ starts today

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A FAMILY from Whitland have appeared at crown court today to face charges relating to a ‘cannabis factory’ which is said to have produced an estimated £3.5m of the drug.

Four members of the McCann family, who relocated to Cwmbach, near Whitland, Carmarthenshire, from Portsmouth in 2015, all deny the charges.

Edward Robert McCann, 61, company director of Orbis Mobile Technologies Ltd based in Hampshire is charged with four counts of conspiracy to supply a class B drug on various dates between 2013, two years before the family moved to the farm, and from 2015 to 2020, when at the farm.

McCann, is also said to have had a large amount of cash he could not account for, namely £185,000 in his bank account when the Inland Revenue say his income was only £7189.

Linda McCann,59, of Cwmbach, Whitland, Carmarthenshire, Samantha McCann,25, of Bristol; Justin James David Liles, aged 31, of St Clears, Carmarthenshire; and Jack Whittock, aged 28, of Llanteg, Pembrokeshire all deny conspiracy to produce and supply cannabis between 2015 and 2020 and to possessing criminal property.

Daniel Edward McCann,36, of Waterlooville, Hampshire, also denies the charge.

Daniel McCann, along with his father Edward, have also denied a further charge of conspiracy involving the production and supply of cannabis, which relates to offences in Hampshire between 2013 and 2015.

The drug bust is said to be one of the largest ever raids by Dyfed-Powys Police.

Whilst executing the warrant, officers recovered almost £2 million worth of cannabis and cannabis-products, including oils and edibles.

The barn on the farm is said to have been ventilated with fans, lighting and paraphernalia relating to the harvesting of cannabis was found.

It is believed that tinned cans were used to conceal and transport the products, and machinery relating to the sealing of tins was also found at the property.

On the first day of the trial, the jury at Swansea Crown Court heard how clothes horses were used to dry the cannabis.

A large amount of cash was also seized during the raid, which was bundled in £1,000 cash.

It is expected that the trial will last around four weeks.

 

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

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Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

 

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Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

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Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

 

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Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

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FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.

 

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