A TOWER crane operator who was found to be in possession of a large quantity of Class A drugs was warned by a judge: "Prepare yourself for a custodial sentence."

A jury at Cardiff crown court found 34-year-old Jason Brooks, of Greenland Road, Brynmawr, guilty of possessing 154 Ecstasy tablets with intent to supply.

Brooks was caught after a Gwent Police motor patrol followed him between Brynmawr and Blaenavon when they became suspicious because his tax disc was not visible.

Sentence was adjourned until March 13 for reports and he was remanded on bail.

Judge William Gaskell told him: "If I may say so, the evidence against you was overwhelming. The possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply is a serious offence.

"Those who supply drugs for commercial gain face custody."

Prosecutor David Webster said that on June 8, a police patrol vehicle followed Brooks and found his vehicle parked in the entrance to a field from which he emerged.

The police became suspicious when he said he had gone to relieve himself. An officer went into the field and spotted a carrier bag in the bushes. Inside the bag, said Mr Webster, were 154 Ecstasy tablets.

His mobile phone was examined by forensic experts and contained a drugs dealing list including references to "Ferraris" the name of some Ecstasy tablets.

Brooks told he jury that at the time he was driving to see a financial adviser and stopped to relieve himself.

"When the police showed me the contents of the bag I said they were not mine. I had nothing whatsoever to do with that bag," he said.

The court heard he had previous convictions for wounding with intent, burglary, causing criminal damage, driving with excelss alcohol, and using threatening words and behaviour.