POLICE found cannabis plants that could have had a potential street value of £5,000 growing in the bedroom of a Llandrindod Wells man.
Police discovered six cannabis plants growing at Tao Nirmana Wedge’s home on September 27 last year – he told Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court this week he had started growing his own drugs because he didn’t want to get involved with dealers.
Wedge, 30, admitted a charge of attempting to produce a controlled drug of Class B at a court hearing on Wednesday, March 15.
The court heard police found six plants and two seedings of cannabis when they raided his flat.
Prosecutor Stephen Davies said: “A search warrant was executed at an address; they searched the property, it was the defendant’s address.
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“Cannabis plants and seedlings were located upstairs in the defendant’s bedroom. Items were seized, including fans, lamps and ventilation tubes.
“The defendant admitted it was all his, he had been growing it. He said he had used his address and that no-one else was involved. He said he did it as he didn’t want to be involved with drug dealers. He uses cannabis to self-medicate.
“Police say if they (the plants) had yielded they would have been worth between £1,800 and £5,000.”
Mr Davies said Wedge has previous convictions for drugs on his record.
Representing Wedge, of Park Terrace, Llandrindod, Gareth Walters said his client had made full admissions and entered an early guilty plea.
“He gave an account whereby he described cutting himself out of the drug supply chain,” said Mr Walters.
“The cannabis was for his own use. At least it meant no-one else was involved in the small enterprise he had going on. He gave reasons for why he grew it himself and said he didn’t want to get involved in buying it.”
Mr Walters said unemployed Wedge was on Universal Credit and, even though his record showed several drug offences, he hasn’t got a drug conviction since 2014.
Magistrates ordered Wedge to comply with a 12-month community order. This will include 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and completing 60 hours of unpaid work.
He must also pay a surcharge of £114 as well as £85 costs. Magistrates also ordered that the drugs and equipment be destroyed.
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