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Crime

Dozen arrests and cannabis worth thousands seized during police operation

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Supply of cannabis in South West Wales was disrupted by operation, say police

TWO men who tried to evade officers by smashing through the roof of a house will be sentenced later this month.

Three west Wales cannabis growers who were arrested as part of a police offensive to tackle organised criminal networks have pleaded guilty to producing cannabis and will be sentenced later this month.

Dorjan Dautaj and Ergys Dautaj, both 24, were inside a house on Swansea Road, Trebanos, when tactical search teams forced entry on February 13.

They smashed their way up through the roof of the Swansea house and risked their lives to escape by jumping onto a neighbouring roof.

But there was no way out, and they surrendered to officers waiting below.

Cannabis plants in varying stages of growth were discovered in two bedrooms, the living room, and the attic of one of the properties, which had been extensively and dangerously modified to cultivate the drug.

Both pleaded guilty to cannabis production and will appear alongside another man, Osman Sallaku, 21, to be sentenced on Friday, March 21. Sallaku was arrested at a nearby address on the same day in what were co-ordinated police warrants.

They are among 12 people arrested during a month-long police crackdown throughout February. Warrants were executed across south Wales, including in Swansea, Cardiff, and the south Wales valleys, as part of the third phase of a national effort to disrupt organised crime groups known as Operation Millie.

Nearly 1,000 plants were also discovered by police when they raided two commercial units in Pontypridd on February 25.

The operation targeted organised crime linked to violence, exploitation, and anti-social behaviour, which blights communities and fuels other criminal activity, including county lines drug trafficking, modern slavery, and human trafficking.

Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Holcombe said: “The myth that cannabis is harmless couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is that the production of cannabis leaves a trail of misery and destruction in its wake. Those tasked by criminal networks to look after the cannabis grows are often vulnerable and sometimes victims of human trafficking.”

In many cases, landlords and their agents are the first to notice signs of illegal activity. Reporting concerns to police at an early stage allows forces to shut down cannabis farms before they cause serious damage.

Detective Chief Inspector Holcombe added: “There is also the financial cost of commercial cannabis grows, which often cause damage to properties taken over for that purpose. Buildings can become inherently dangerous, with fire risks due to the unlawful abstraction of electricity, fumes, and water damage—posing a serious and potentially lethal threat to those in neighbouring properties.

“During the operation, we arrested one landlord suspected of being complicit in the criminal enterprise. He has since been released under investigation. Anybody involved in this type of criminality is committing a serious offence and faces being arrested and prosecuted.”

Operation Millie, which took place in February, was part of a wider national operation involving police forces from across England and Wales. The crackdown is expected to cause further disruption to cannabis supply networks across the region, particularly in West Wales.

 

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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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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Crime

Publican jailed for six years for supplying cocaine and cannabis

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Milford Haven man sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following drug dealing operation

A MILFORD HAVEN publican has been jailed for six years after admitting supplying cocaine and cannabis.

The defendant, who previously appeared before magistrates and was remanded in custody, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following an investigation into drug dealing activity linked to the town.

The court heard that he had been involved in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs, with evidence including material recovered by police and analysis of mobile phone data. Investigators said the activity had been ongoing since at least 2024.

Cocaine, a Class A drug, carries the most serious penalties under UK law, and the involvement of both cocaine and cannabis was reflected in the length of the sentence imposed.

During proceedings, the court was told that the case went beyond isolated incidents, with the defendant playing a significant role in the supply chain. The judge said the offending was serious and sustained, warranting an immediate custodial sentence.

He was sentenced to six years in prison.

The case had previously been heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where the defendant was remanded due to the seriousness of the allegations before being sent to the Crown Court for sentencing.

 

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