A man found to be in possession of approximately £25,000 worth of cannabis is being investigated by police on suspicion of conducting a major drug dealing operation in the Llanelli area.
The man was stopped by police driving his Jaguar XE on the Newtown bypass in May 2021.
Noticing that his eyes were glazed, a drugs swipe was carried out which proved positive, and the driver was charged with driving whilst under the influence of drugs.
In November 2021, Joshua Facciuto of Llanelli was convicted of driving whilst over the legal drug drive limit and disqualified from driving for 36 months. He was ordered to pay a total of £199.
A subsequent search of his car revealed three large vacuum packs of cannabis which, according to Dyfed-Powys police investigator Robert Thomas, had a street value of around £25,000.
During a further search of his home, police seized £2,300 in cash.
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This week Robert Thomas made an application to Haverfordwest magistrates to detain the cash for an additional six months, which will allow their investigations into the drug dealing allegations to continue.
He explained that the delay is the result of the police being unable to gain access to the accused’s mobile phone despite them having creates access codes.
“We are still awaiting an expert drugs witness who can value the drugs, as well as a mobile phone analyst who will be able to gain access to his mobile,” Mr Thomas told magistrates via a video link this week.
“Because of the reasonable grounds for suspicion of criminal activity, I ask that the cash be detained for a further six months.”
Mr Thomas’s application was granted and the matter was adjourned until November 23 when it will be heard in Llanelli magistrates court.
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