Crime

35 arrests as police disrupt £12 million cannabis operation

Published

1 year ago

February 18, 2025

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has carried out its most significant drugs operation to date, seizing more than £12 million worth of cannabis and dismantling 37 large-scale cannabis farms across the force area. The crackdown, named Operation Scotney, has resulted in 35 arrests and the disruption of organised crime gangs operating in rural communities.

***Cannabis farm found at Main Street, Pembroke (Picture: M Cavaney/Herald)***

Operation Scotney

Raiding sites including former schools, empty town centre shops, and a disused newspaper office, police have uncovered thousands of cannabis plants and tonnes of commercial heating and lighting equipment.

Detective Chief Inspector Rich Lewis explained how the operation began: “Through proactive policing, we noticed a rise in large-scale cannabis factories being discovered in seemingly unrelated locations. The scale was unprecedented, with thousands of plants found in each warrant. It quickly became clear that these factories were linked, run by organised crime groups from outside the force area, aiming to evade detection in our rural towns.”

In response, Operation Scotney was launched in early 2024, bringing together detectives, intelligence experts, and proactive policing officers to locate and disrupt these operations before the cannabis could be cultivated.

***Police at the former Woolworth’s building, Pembroke Dock (Image: Herald)***

Organised crime hiding in plain sight

The criminal networks behind these farms have been using increasingly brazen tactics, setting up operations in town centres and even on the same street as a police station. DCI Lewis said: “We’ve found cannabis factories in former schools, empty shops, and a disused newspaper office, all in public areas where it would be difficult to go unnoticed. These gangs disguise themselves as construction workers or landlords, wearing high-visibility vests and moving large boxes into buildings in broad daylight to avoid suspicion.”

A striking example occurred in Newcastle Emlyn, where officers discovered 400 cannabis plants just four doors down from the local police station.

***Passers by said that the former Mojo’s in Milford Haven was “stinking of skunk” (Picture: Herald)***

Crackdown yields major arrests

Over the past year, Operation Scotney has led to the arrests of 35 individuals. Twenty-nine have been jailed, four are awaiting sentencing, two are yet to enter pleas, and two others have been deported.

Carmarthenshire court results:

King Street, Carmarthen:
- Jurgen Kodra: Jailed for 2 years, 4 months for production of cannabis.
Old Llangunnor Road, Carmarthen:
- Nurdin Hoxha: Charged with production of cannabis – sentencing on March 7.
Gordon Road, Llanelli:
- Argil Bushi: Jailed for 20 months for production of cannabis.
- Aldi Xhaferri: Jailed for 9 months for production of cannabis.
Craddock Street, Llanelli:
- Blerjan Dedja: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.
Bigyn Road, Llanelli:
- Franko Sulovari: Jailed for 18 months for production of cannabis.
Mountain Gate Inn, Ammanford:
- Beni Mirashi: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.
Maes Y Wern, Carway:
- Viktor Gjeloshi: Jailed for 15 months for production of cannabis.
- Nikoll Necaj: Jailed for 6 months for production of cannabis.
- Eduart Nenfusho: Jailed for 15 months for production of cannabis.
Vaughan Street, Llanelli:
- Hazis Rapi: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.

Ceredigion court results:

Former Llandysul school:
- Alfred Perkola: Conspiracy to supply and possession with intent to supply cannabis. Sentencing on February 26, 2025.
- Aldi Gjegjaj: Conspiracy to supply and possession with intent to supply cannabis. Sentencing on February 26, 2025.
Former Llandysul school (second warrant):
- Armeld Troski: Jailed for 40 months for production of cannabis.
- Njazi Gjana: Jailed for 30 months for production of cannabis.
- Ervin Gjana: Jailed for 30 months for production of cannabis.

Pembrokeshire court results:

Honeyborough Industrial Estate, Neyland:
- Zhupa Gentian: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.
- Ergest Mucopata: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.
Stop search, Cleddau Bridge:
- Albert Nikolla: Jailed for 4 years, 3 months for possession with intent to supply and supply of cocaine.
- Pajtim Meta: Jailed for 5 years for possession with intent to supply and supply of cocaine.
India Row, Monkton, Pembroke:
- Sergej Zakacura: Jailed for 7 years, 3 months for production of cannabis.
North Crescent, Haverfordwest:
- Shahin Mustaj: Jailed for 8 months for production of cannabis.
Treowen Road, Pennar, Pembroke Dock:
- Ervis Kerciku: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.
Industrial Yard, Honeyborough:
- Flamur Vengo: Jailed for 24 months for production of cannabis.
- Nertil Dallenga: Jailed for 24 months for production of cannabis.
Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock:
- Armando Beti: Jailed for 2 years, 8 months for being concerned in production of cannabis.
Main Street, Pembroke:
- Amarildo Daja: Jailed for 12 months for being concerned in production of cannabis.
Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock:
- Esmirald Dedej: Charged with production of cannabis and remanded in custody.
- Arsen Tanasica: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.

Powys court results:

Former County Times building, Welshpool:
- Dino Marku: Jailed for 18 months for production of cannabis.
Former County Times building (second warrant):
- Kastriot Gega: Jailed for 6 months for production of cannabis.
Broad Street, Welshpool:
- Alban Qemalli: Jailed for 22 months for being concerned in production of cannabis.
High Street, Welshpool:
- Kladji Toci: Jailed for 16 months for being concerned in production of cannabis.
Former HSBC bank, Llandrindod Wells:
- Two men deported following arrest.

The force says it remains committed to disrupting organised crime and ensuring the safety of local communities.

***Police officer at an illegal cannabis farm (Pic: Herald File image)***

Can you help the police?

The most frequent signs of a cannabis factory are:

HEAT: Cannabis plants need heat to grow. You may see condensation on windows or notice that ice and snow is missing on rooftops in the winter.
SMELL: Cannabis plants have a strong smell, which is stronger in the last three months of growth.
RUBBISH: Lots of ‘garden’ rubbish dumped outside such as plant pots, compost and empty plant food containers.
LIGHT: Cannabis needs bright lights 24 hours a day to grow. You may also hear noise from fans.
SECRECY: Windows might be covered up to hide illegal activity, or extra locks installed.
ELECTRICITY: Your street may be suffering from frequent and unusual power cuts as electricity meters are bypassed.
VISITORS: Are people coming and going, possibly at odd hours? Are the lights constantly on but nobody appears to be there?

If you have any information or concerns to share, contact Dyfed-Powys Police in the following ways:

Report online | https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/

Email | [email protected]

Call | 101

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Farming company fined £19,000 for damaging protected wildlife site

Published

9 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A CARDIGAN farming company has been ordered to pay almost £20,000 after recklessly damaging a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Jenkins Ty Hen Ltd, run by David Glyn Jenkins and William Lloyd Jenkins, of Ty Hen, Verwig, admitted damaging the Llwyn Ysgaw, Caeau Crug Bychan and Ty Gwyn SSSI through the unauthorised use of manure, slurry, fertilisers and lime.

The offences took place between June 21 and July 31, 2024.

The court heard that Natural Resources Wales had repeatedly warned the company about how the protected land should be managed.

Aled Watkins, prosecuting for NRW, said an agreement made in 2004 made clear that the landowners needed written consent before carrying out certain activities on the site, including the use of slurry, herbicides, pesticides, fertiliser or lime.

He said: “A significant amount of guidance, advice and warnings has been directed to the company over a substantial period of time, as there have been problems before.”

The court was told advice had been given in 2017, with further discussions in 2021. Further problems were identified in 2024, leading to advice letters and then a formal warning in June that year.

Mr Watkins said: “Even after the letters were sent, no consent request was made.

“The common sense conclusion was that, where the original agreement was clear and advice had been given years prior, this was a deliberate act by the landowners of spreading slurry on the SSSI.”

Jenkins Ty Hen Ltd pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly destroying or damaging flora on the protected site, contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The company also admitted permitting the use of manure, slurry, silage liquor, fertiliser or lime without written consent from NRW, knowing it was likely to damage rare flora and fauna as well as geological and physiographical features.

Defending, solicitor Harry Dickens said the company had not deliberately set out to damage the land.

“This is more akin to the business damaging the land rather than setting out within their practices to do that damage,” he said.

He added that various contractors were used at the farm and were not always aware of the regulations.

“The defendants did not go out intentionally to harm the flora and fauna,” he said.

“Yes, they had foresight of the warnings and the previous agreement, but this is more akin to wilful blindness rather than going out intending to damage the land. It was not a flagrant disregard.

“The defendants were not loutish in their usage of the land, they are not vandals, they have not been silent and neither have they stonewalled NRW.”

Mr Dickens said the farmers accepted the need to restore the land and were keen to work productively with the authorities.

District Judge Mark Layton said Jenkins Ty Hen Ltd had breached NRW requirements.

“They spread fertilisers, herbicides and slurry on the land which was a breach,” he said.

“This was clearly a deliberate act of culpability and a complete disregard after already being given advice and warnings.”

The court heard the company’s most recent financial turnover was just over £1.6m. It was described by the defence as a micro-business.

Jenkins Ty Hen Ltd was ordered to pay £19,940.66, made up of a £9,000 fine, £8,940.66 costs to NRW and a £2,000 surcharge.

A restoration order was also made requiring work to improve the quality of the damaged SSSI land.

Crime

Trial of men accused of murdering Ian Watkins delayed

Published

11 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE TRIAL of two prison inmates accused of murdering former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has been delayed by a day.

Watkins, who was serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual offences, died following an alleged attack at HMP Wakefield last October.

Rashid Gedel, 25, who has been referred to in court as Rico Gedel, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, were due to stand trial at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday (May 5).

The case is now expected to begin on Wednesday (May 6).

Watkins was jailed in December 2013 for 29 years, with a further six years on licence, after admitting a series of child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby.

He was arrested after police executed a drugs warrant at his home in Pontypridd on September 21, 2012. Officers seized computers, mobile phones and storage devices, which later revealed evidence of his offending.

Watkins had previously been taken to hospital after being attacked in prison in 2023.

In 2019, he was jailed for an additional ten months after being found guilty of possessing a mobile phone while in prison.

Crime

70-year-old denies assault and restraining order breach

Published

5 days ago

May 1, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

A PENSIONER from Pembroke Dock has denied breaching a restraining order and assaulting another man.

Henry Howlett, 70, of Market Street, appeared before Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, May 1), charged with breaching a restraining order and common assault.

The charges relate to an alleged incident on November 9 last year.

Howlett has previously appeared before magistrates in connection with a separate alleged incident involving a neighbour.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court previously heard that a dispute arose on July 17 after neighbour Steven Bromhall was washing his car outside his home in Market Street.

Prosecutor Nia James told the court that, as a taxi arrived to collect Howlett, the driver opened the window while passing and Mr Bromhall inadvertently sprayed the taxi driver with water from a hosepipe.

“The taxi driver started remonstrating, and the defendant then began waving his walking stick in the air, towards Mr Bromhall,” she said.

The court heard Mr Bromhall sustained an injury to his back, although it remained unclear whether he had been struck by Howlett’s stick.

Howlett pleaded not guilty to common assault in relation to that incident and was released on unconditional bail. A trial date was set at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

At Swansea Crown Court today, His Honour Judge P H Thomas KC asked Howlett whether he was legally represented.

“I can’t find anyone decent, I’m still searching, my lord,” Howlett replied.

When the court attempted to take his pleas, Howlett repeatedly interrupted in an effort to give an explanation, prompting the judge to tell him: “Be quiet, Mr Howlett.”

Howlett then pleaded not guilty to the charges, telling the court: “Definitely not guilty.”

As he left the courtroom, Howlett said: “I will get the truth out and I hope you all hang your heads in shame… this is all fixed.”

A trial date was set for January 14, 2027.