Detectives in Pembrokeshire have been commended by a judge today (Friday) for the hard work and diligence that led to the ending of a cannabis running operation.

Christopher Fry, aged 29, ran the Pembroke side of the business and he was supplied by Liam Samples, from Nottingham.

They admitted conspiring to supply cannabis between May 11 and November 11, 2013.

After being arrested and granted bail Fry, of Main Street, continued to deal and was re-arrested.

Judge Peter Heywood, sitting at Swansea crown court, said police had executed a search warrant at Fry’s then address at the Old Coronation building, Pembroke Dock, and it became “obvious by the strong smell” that there was cannabis on the premises.

Detectives recovered 96 grams of resin with a street value of £1,000.

Samples, aged 23, of Brinkhill Crescent, Clifton, Nottingham, was arrested as well and mobile telephone traffic revealed they had been dealing in significant amount of cannabis.

“The supply of drugs in west Wales causes great concern,” said Judge Heywood.

“It is a scourge in rural areas. There has been a lot of publicity this week about the evils of cannabis and how people become addicted and go on to more serious drugs,” he added.

Fry was jailed for 18 months and Samples for 12 months, both suspended for 18 months, and Samples was ordered to undertake a rehabilitation course to deal with his drug addiction.

Judge Heywood also confiscated £652 found in Fry’s possession and £1,908 from Samples, as well as a car used in the operation.

Judge Heywood asked for the Crown Prosecution Service to pass on commendations to the officers concerned.