Christian Moss was linked to the cannabis farm in Hazelwood Road thanks to DNA on a bottle of Budweiser
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A CANNABIS "gardener" was caught after police found his DNA on a bottle of beer at the scene.
Swansea Crown Court heard that when police raided a house in the Afan Valley in March this year they found it empty of furniture save for a mattress, sleeping bag, and table.
Officers found cannabis-growing equipment in the three bedrooms, 24 young plants and a further two dozen plants that had recently been harvested.
They also found a bottle of Budweiser on a window sill in one of the rooms — and Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said DNA recovered from it led police directly to Christian Moss of Maesglas Road, Gendros.
Moss initially told police he had only acted as a "driver" in transporting people to the property, but he pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of cannabis when he appeared in the dock
The court heard the 44-year-old would travel from Gendros to the cannabis house in Hazelwood Road,Cwmavon, two or three times a week where he would help to water and feed the plants.
There was evidence of a "rotation" system being used to grow plants in the house, and the value of the crop seized was estimated at up to £11,000 if sold in individual street deals.
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The court was told Moss has previous convictions for "a whole host of offences" including for drug possession, but that this was his first production offence.
Judge Peter Heywood told Moss he had in effect been looking after the plants as a gardener.
He said: "This matter came to light when police executed a search warrant at a property in Cwmavon.
"It was clear from what was discovered that the premises were not being used as a residence, though somebody had been staying there on occasions.
"You were traced to the property by a bottle of Budweiser found there.
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"You initially claimed to be just a driver but you were a gardener, effectively looking after the plants".
The judge sentenced Moss to 12 months in prison suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.
His Honour warned Moss that if he were to breach the suspended sentence he would "have no hesitation" in sending him straight to prison.
Read more: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Afan-Valley-cannabis-gardener-tracked-Swansea/story-28094213-detail/story.html#ixzz3qGJkAu5y
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