Three individuals from London traveled to Wales to carry out a 'removal job' on a cannabis farm, a court has heard. The van, filled with harvested cannabis, was intercepted on the eastbound motorway heading toward the border after vigilant locals noted its license plate.
Interception and Chase
Swansea Crown Court heard that the occupants abandoned the van near a park and fled on foot but were chased and caught by police. One suspect was found 'jogging across a car park sweating profusely and covered in mud.'
Mari Watkins, prosecuting, stated that on September 4, 2024, police in Swansea received calls from the public reporting suspicious activity at a vape shop in Gowerton, where individuals were loading items into a van. When police arrived, the van had left, but witnesses provided a partial registration number. A search of the shop revealed evidence of cannabis cultivation, though no plants were present.
About 90 minutes later, the van was located near junction 30 of the eastbound M4 and followed as it exited at junction 28 and sped along the A48 Southern Distributor Road. The van was abandoned at Tredegar Park, and the three occupants—Paulo Dias, Bobby Batchelor, and a youth—fled. Batchelor and the youth were quickly caught, while Dias was found shortly afterward 'jogging across a car park sweating profusely and covered in mud.'
Evidence and Sentencing
The van was searched, revealing 150 cannabis plants worth up to £90,000, along with keys to the Gowerton shop. Batchelor's phone contained messages indicative of drug supply involvement.
Paulo Dias, 26, from Streatham, London, and Bobby Batchelor, 25, from Lambeth, London, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis. Dias claimed he was a cannabis user who was told of 'removal work' in Gowerton and helped load plants. Dias had four previous convictions for ten offenses, including cannabis possession. Batchelor had six convictions for 12 offenses, including dangerous driving and possession of heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply.
Recorder Greg Bull KC noted Batchelor's street dealing involvement and Dias's role as a 'removal man.' With a 10% discount for his guilty plea, Dias was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison. Batchelor received a nine-month suspended sentence, 150 hours of unpaid work, and a rehabilitation course. The youth was previously dealt with at youth court.
