AN UNINSURED driver stopped by police in Carmarthen was found to have a boot full of cannabis, a judge heard today.Illegal Ukrainian immigrant Dimetriy Chokan, aged 31, was on his way to dump seven bin bags packed with the debris from a cannabis growing factory.
Jim Davis, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court last week (May 27) how police saw Chokan’s VW Bora at the Pensarn roundabout just outside the town centre shortly after midnight on February 11.
A computer check showed the vehicle was insured by only a female driver and stopped Chokan.
He gave them a false name but showed them driving documents in that name.
Mr Davis said while one officer spoke to him another checked the outside of the car and at the rear detected “a strong smell of cannabis.”
At first, it was thought Chokan had been transporting a massive amount of cannabis but forensic tests supported his claim that he had been paid to dump what was left of cannabis plants after they had been harvested.
Chokan admitted possessing cannabis, driving while disqualified and without insurance.
Mr Davis said after his arrest Chokan, of Astwood Road, Worcester, gave his real name and admitted entering the country illegally and being a banned driver.
The Judge, Mr Recorder Nicholas Gareth Jones, jailed Chokan for 10 months.
He also confiscated the VW Bora as it has been used in the commission of a crime.
Craig Jones, the barrister representing Chokan, said the car belonged to a friend of his.
Mr Recorder Jones said he would confiscate it anyway and his friend had 28 days to appeal his decision.
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