We represented the two defendants, who were the only persons charged following a raid of a large building in the Ammanford area, where hundreds of cannabis plants were growing. On their arrest on January 29th 2009 they were both inside the building amongst the plants. To the police it must have seemed like they could not have been caught more red-handed.

However, when interviewed they explained to the Police that they had been told by a friend in London of the existence of the cannabis factory, and they had come down that very day planning to steal some of the cannabis. They explained that they had entered through a back door which was open, and had only been in the premises about five minutes when the police entered and arrested them. We advised them that on their instructions they were not guilty of production, or cultivation, of cannabis, but were guilty of entering the property as trespassers, with intent to steal – in other words, guilty of burglary.

Both defendants were charged with production of cannabis, and the prosecution said there were over 1500 plants recovered with a  potential value when harvested  in the region of £740,000 – £900,000 at street values. Had they been found guilty of this they would have been likely to receive lengthy custodial sentences.

The defendants both pleaded not guilty, the magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case was adjourned to be committed to the Crown Court, the defendants both being remanded in custody. At the next hearing, the prosecution offered no evidence on the charge of production and the  defendants entered guilty pleas to burglary and they received sentences which allowed for their immediate release from custody.

Please see link to BBC website article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/7867421.stm