11:04am Friday 22nd June 2012
A HAVERFORDWEST pub landlord has been convicted of planning to trade in drugs as well as pints.
Elfryn James Williams, who runs the Snowdrop Inn in Snowdrop Lane, was found guilty of possessing more than 52 grams of amphetamine with intent to supply.
James, aged 44, will be sentenced next month.
Swansea crown court heard how police officers searched the home of a relative of Williams in Pelcomb Bridge, on May 11 last year, armed with a warrant issued under the misuse of drugs act.
While they were there, Williams turned up in person.
The detectives found a plastic tub in the garden with the amphetamine inside. They also found digital weighing scales in a garage displaying traces of caffeine on the pans.
When the bulk of the amphatamine was tested it was discovered that caffeine had been used as a cutting agent to reduce the strength.
Williams told officers he had no idea the drugs were there and later refused to answer most of their questions.
By the time of the trial, however, Williams agreed the drugs had belonged to him, but said they were for his personal use.
He said Christmas had been a busy period at the Snowdrop, where he was also the cook, and he needed a boost from time to time.
But the jury unanimously rejected his claim and he was convicted.
They jury were then told that during the same search police had found a room at the back of the garage which had been converted into a cannabis factory.
The electricity meter had been bypassed and 77 plants were growing, which could have produced a crop with a street value of up to £35,000.
Williams’ barrister, Chris James, said a second defendant had been involved in the cannabis operation and the prosecution had accepted that all the drugs would have been consumed by the pair and not sold on.
Williams had earlier admitted being concerned in the production of cannabis.
Judge Keith Thomas granted Williams bail until he is sentenced for both offences on July 13.
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