POLICE in Pembroke Dock have shut down a large-scale cannabis grow in Pembroke Dock. Nearly 600 plants have been recovered, officers have said. It is almost as large as the grow found in Neyland on November 18, 2023.

It has now been confirmed by police that a male, 37-years-old has been arrested and detained.

A heavy police presence was seen outside the former Woolworths building on Dimond Street today (Thursday, 3 October), sparking concern and curiosity among local residents. Witnesses reported that several police vehicles had blocked the road as officers in riot gear attempted to enter the premises.

One witness, speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald, described the scene: “There are loads of police outside the old Woolworths in the dock. It looks like they’re trying to get in. Dimond Street is currently blocked off with police cars and vans. They’ve just brought a man out, a foreign national, and put him in a van. The police are now inside [the building].”

Another reader contacted the newspaper to share what they had seen: “The police officers dragged him out as if he were a rag doll and slammed him into the van,” the witness said, describing the arrest.

The Pembrokeshire Herald also spoke to a nearby business owner, who reported seeing “men on the rooftops” moving between the closed card shop and the derelict former Woolworths store. It is understood that at least one individual had either gained access to or was attempting to reach the attic space of a nearby snooker hall.

Shortly after the initial raid, additional police vehicles arrived on the scene. Officers directed pedestrians to the opposite side of the road and halted all traffic in the area.

Following the arrest, the road was reopened to the public, though a significant number of both uniformed and plain-clothes officers remained inside the building.

A spokesperson for the police sent a press statement to this newspaper on Thursday afternoon, stating: “Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act at the old Woolworths building on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock on Thursday, October 3.

“During the warrant, close to 600 cannabis plants were located. One man, aged 37, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the production of Class B drugs. He remains in police custody.”

Residents will see increased police activity in the area as the investigation continues, detectives confirmed.

(Pics: M Cavaney/Herald)

(Pics: M Cavaney/Herald)

A 76-YEAR-OLD monk from Caldey Island has been arrested on suspicion of sending indecent images to a local woman, Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed. The incident, which surfaced earlier this summer, has led to the monk’s suspension from his duties on the island pending further investigation.

The monk, who has resided on Caldey for over 30 years, was questioned by police on Sunday, 21st July. He has since been released on bail while inquiries continue. It is alleged that he sent a series of inappropriate photographs to a woman in her thirties via social media after she made contact with him regarding a potential interest in the religious life.

Police sources indicate that the nature of the images resembled ‘camp’ or ‘Playboy mansion-style’ photographs. Reports suggest that after initial contact was made on 17th July, the communication quickly escalated to the exchange of suggestive images by the following day. Further allegations have surfaced, claiming that other explicit images may have been sent to another woman in Kent.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police stated: “A 76-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of sending indecent images and has been released on bail pending further inquiries.”

The Tenby Observer has reported today, that due to the individual’s status within the Caldey community, the monastery’s disciplinary authority has suspended him as the investigation proceeds. It is understood that the monk, who previously served as a church organist, denied having any specific fetish but admitted to what he termed as ‘misbehaviour’ during police questioning.

The police investigation is ongoing, with examinations of the monk’s electronic devices currently underway. Local residents have expressed shock at the allegations, given the individual’s longstanding presence on the island.

A JOHNSTON man is to appear before magistrates for trial accused of sharing a photograph of of a woman’s bottom on social media.

Keith Lovell, 56, is accused of sharing the photograph on February 29 without consent. 

He is further accused of assaulting Ms Lovell by beating between January 1 and January 31.  The Crown alleges that he put both his hands on the victim and pushed her into a toy, causing her to fall to the floor.

Lovell, of Brookside Avenue, Johnston, denied both charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week. 

The Crown said Lovell claimed the photograph was shared ‘accidentally’.

The case was adjourned to November 18 when Lovell’s trial will take place. 

He was released on conditional bail, the conditions being not to contact Ms Lovell,  not to enter her home address and not put anything in relation to the complainant nor the police investigation on social media.