A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has pleaded not guilty to 28 charges of possessing explosives and chemical weapons at Newport Crown Court.
Russell Wadge, aged 58 and from Trimsaran, pleaded guilty to five offences relating to the possession and manufacture of hydrogen cyanide – one of the most lethal of poisons – in December last year.
Officers from the Wales Extremism and Counter-Terrorism Unit (WECTU) supported by Dyfed Powys Police executed a search warrant at the property near the village of Trimsaran on June 11, 2019.
Armed officers from WECTU, supported by officers from Dyfed Powys Police, attended the property to execute a search warrant.
After finding chemicals at the property, Police Russell Wadge on suspicion of offences relating to being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.
A specialist search of the property took place, which was cordoned off for an extended period after the initial raid.
Opening for the prosecution, Tom Little QC told the Court that during the raid on Wadge’s property, Police found significant stocks of chemicals which could be used to manufacture explosives and poisons.
Mr Little said that, when interviewed by Police, Wadge admitted making hydrogen cyanide, which Mr Little described as ‘one of the most rapidly-acting poisons known to man’.
The prosecuting QC told the jury during the search of Wadge’s property and his computer, Police uncovered evidence that Mr Wadge had a significant interest in White Supremacy and extremist positions around Brexit.
Tom Little QC, said: “There were those frustrated by the delays to the Brexit process who were agitating, but they did not have access to this range of chemicals.”
The Police raid also found hydrogen cyanide stored in a freezer on the premises and liquid in a container labelled ‘poison’ in the accused’s fridge
When interviewed, Mr Wadge denied any belief in extremism but claimed a ‘keen interest’ in chemistry.
The prosecution says that the nature of what was uncovered at Wadge’s property far exceeds any scientific enthusiasm. Books were found describing how to make plastic explosives.
Ingredients to make the explosive used in the Manchester Arena bombing were also found at Wadge’s property.
Police found boxes of grenades, mines and plans for a device to release cyanide.
Mr Wadge claimed to the Police that such a quantity of chemicals and weaponry had no connection with any extremism on any intention to use the weapons he manufactured and possessed.
He said he had the weapons and chemicals ‘for the thrill of it’ and the illegal nature of what he was doing gave him ‘a buzz’.
At the time of writing, the trial continues.
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