Blood tests showed drug levels far above the legal limit, court hears

A PEMBROKESHIRE motorist has been banned from driving after being caught behind the wheel with extremely high levels of cocaine in his system.

Rhun Francis, 53, was stopped by police on August 13 while driving his Ford Puma through Letterston. Subsequent blood tests revealed he had 800 micrograms of benzoylecgonine and 103 micrograms of cocaine per litre of blood. The legal limits are 50 micrograms and 10 micrograms respectively.

Traces of cannabis were also detected in his blood, but these were within the specified legal limit.

“These levels are extremely high and, as a result, cross the community threshold,” District Judge Mark Layton said after Francis pleaded guilty to two counts of drug-driving at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

Francis, of Alclud, Penbanc, Fishguard, was said to have taken steps to address his drug use since the offence.

Probation officer Julie Norman told the court that he had not used drugs since his arrest and had sought support from the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service.

“He has struggled with substance misuse for many years and also has alcohol issues, but he is now motivated and taking positive steps to address these problems,” she said.

Francis was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order, during which he must complete ten rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was also disqualified from driving for 20 months, fined £120, and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

A MILFORD HAVEN publican has been remanded in custody after denying being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

Daniel Booth appeared before District Judge Mark Layton, sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he denied the allegation following his arrest on Saturday (Jan 4).

The Crown alleges that a “substantial quantity of cocaine” — weighing 27 grams — was discovered concealed inside the air filter of a van that had recently been sold by Booth to an unrelated third party.

Prosecutors also told the court that £1,682 in cash was found in Booth’s possession at the time of his arrest. A subsequent search of his home uncovered small traces of cocaine and cannabis.

“There are also multiple sources of mobile phone evidence from various drug investigations that clearly point towards the defendant as being directly involved in drug dealing since 2024,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told the court.

Ms James added that Booth refused to provide police with the PIN code for his mobile phone following his arrest.

“He told officers that it was his business phone and that he did not want police accessing his business activities,” she said.

Booth, of Priory Road, Milford Haven, denies being concerned in the supply of cocaine and a further charge of acquiring criminal property.

He was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who argued that his client should be released on bail.

“The drugs were found in a vehicle he had owned for only a very short period of time,” Mr Lloyd said. “He sold the vehicle on and informed police that forensic enquiries would not link him to it.

“He has provided a full explanation regarding both the vehicle and the cash found in his possession.”

Mr Lloyd also told the court that Booth had recently taken on a lease for a public house in Milford Haven.

“The consequences of being remanded in custody will place that business in jeopardy,” he said.

Despite the application, District Judge Layton ordered that Booth be remanded in custody. He is due to appear next at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday, February 6.

Booth is the licensee of The Vibe, Charles Street, Milford Haven.

AN OPERATION to locate a man reported to have entered the River Teifi in Cardigan has been stood down for the evening.

Dyfed-Powys Police officers, alongside Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the RNLI, have been searching the river and surrounding areas since a report was received that a man was seen entering the water at around 5.15am on Sunday (Jan 4).

Despite extensive searches, the man has not been located. Officers remain in contact with the family of the person believed to have entered the water, providing regular updates and support.

The emergency services search is expected to resume in the morning.

Chief Inspector Richard Yelland said: “We are doing all we can to locate this individual, and can assure the public that a significant amount of ground and waterway has been covered over the past three days.

“We would once again like to thank those who have helped so far and ask members of the public to continue to stay away from the riverbanks. This is both to preserve the area for the ongoing emergency services operation and for their own safety.

“If there are areas deemed safe for the community to search, this will be communicated through our officers.”

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation, or if you are the person who entered the water and are now safe, is asked to contact police: