A GWENT man was involved in a cannabis-growing operation worth £400,000, it was alleged in court.

Philip Johns, of Wilcae terrace, Raglan, and Paul Gibbard of School Mews, Matson, Gloucester, appeared in Gloucester Crown Court yesterday.

They both deny conspiring to produce cannabis between April 1, 2011, and July 14, 2012. Johns also denies abstracting electricity to run the cannabis factory on his land at Glannau Farm, Lydart, between January 2008 and July 2012.

Andrew O'Donnell was the mastermind of the 'sophisticated' hydroponic growing operation in Cinderford, Tenbury Wells, and Lydart, near Monmouth, prosecutor Ian Dixey told Gloucester Crown Court.

Gibbard admits producing cannabis on a smaller scale at his own home on July 13, 2012.
Another man, Robert Ockleton, 23, of Swallow Crescent, Innsworth, near Gloucester, has admitted his role in the plot and is not involved in the trial.

Prosecutor Ian Dixey told the jury "This case involves Andrew O'Donnell, also known as Andrew Lawson. He is not before the court - the reason being that shortly after he was arrested by the police and bailed while they made further enquiries he disappeared. He is now believed to be abroad.

"Our case is that he was involved in setting up three separate growing operations - one in Cinderford, one at Glannau Farm, near Trellech, and the other at O'Donnell's own home address at Manor Farm, Oldwood Common, Tenbury Wells.

"Cannabis was grown at these three sites and if the plants had all reached maturity and been sold as street deals it would have generated just under £400,000."

Mr Dixey said that on 9th March last year tenants on the Forest Vale Industrial estate at Cinderford reported a smell of cannabis from a rented unit.

When Gibbard was arrested, he had a small hydroponic growing set-up at his own home but he denied being involved in running the Cinderford factory. He said he had just being going there to make deliveries.

Proceeding.