Crime
Jail sentence for Milford Haven drug dealer
SWANSEA Crown Court has imposed a jail sentence on a Milford Haven man who was observed by police throwing bags containing illegal substances out of a rooftop window.
Officers were asked to carry out a search warrant at a property in Dewsland, Milford Haven in April, 2021 on suspicion that illegal drugs were being stored inside.
A man who they recognised as Chad Forrest was looking out of an upper window as the officers forced access via the front door. Then they observed a foil wrap, three bags, and four objects being hurled out of a roof window. While the other bags landed on the ground outside the building, one bag fell into the roof gutter.
A total of 109.37g of cannabis was discovered in them.
Additional inspections of the house turned in 0.881 grams of cannabis and a cannabis grinder in the front bedroom. They found a diary in the living room with a scribbled date, a name, and a reference to “56g and £380.” A police drug expert later confirmed that this was indeed the wholesale cost of this specific quantity of cannabis.
110.25g of cannabis, with a wholesale worth of roughly £710, was the total amount found during the search.
Chad Forrest, 29, of Nelson Avenue, Milford Haven, entered a guilty plea to the charge of cannabis possession with the intent to distribute it to others.
However, the Crown confirmed that the offence was committed whilst Forrest was employed by a scaffolding business while serving a suspended prison sentence imposed in February 2020 for possessing Class A cocaine with intent to supply. Other convictions include the possession of cannabis in February 2014 and July 2020 while in August 2019 he received four convictions for possessing a Class C drug.
“Possession with intent to supply is a serious offence but what makes this case even worse is the fact that it was committed during the operational period of a suspended sentence,” said Recorder Richard Kember.
“It’s questionable how seriously the defendant will take any community-based sentences as he has a history of non-compliance of previous orders. Neither do I accept his realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”
Forrest was given an 18-month prison term. After completing the first half of his sentence, he will be granted supervised release.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
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
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
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:
- Online: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 101
You can also provide information anonymously via Crimestoppers:
- Phone: 0800 555 111
- Website: crimestoppers-uk.org
Please quote reference number 24*944729 when providing information.
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