A CANNABIS growing operation was discovered after a Powys tenant left the water running in his flat and it caused a flood in his building.

Firefighters were forced to burst into Shaka Moon Wedge’s Llandrindod Wells home on April 13 this year after receiving a report about a flood at a block of flats in the town.

Inside they found the flood had been caused by a tap being left on in the kitchen sink, causing it to overflow. But while inside they noticed a large tent set up in the living room and called police when they found cannabis plants and equipment used for growing the drug inside the tent.

Wedge, 30, admitted producing the Class B drug at Llandrindod Magistrates Court on Wednesday, August 4.

Prosecutor Kevin Challinor said the defendant was in the early stages of growing eight cannabis plants. “Officers forced entry as they could not get an answer when they knocked. They could see there was a tap on in the kitchen sink, which was the cause of the flood. Then, they found a large tent in the living room in which plants appeared to be growing.

“The police were called, and they found plants in pots, as well as a thermometer unit, cannabis seeds, a pipe structure, a ventilation system, as well as a heat lamp; paraphernalia associated with cannabis cultivation.

“In interview the defendant confirmed the items were his. He told police he was attempting to grow the cannabis seeds for his own personal use.”

Owain Jones, defending Wedge, of Ullswater, Temple Street, said the plants were in the early stages of development.

“There were eight seedlings, which the defendant confirmed in interview,” said Mr Jones. “He had planted them a week before. They had no yield.

“He has previous convictions but this case provides scope for a financial penalty. He doesn’t accept he has a drug habit, he uses cannabis on a recreational basis. He is more than happy to do unpaid work.”

Probation officer Andy Pearson said Wedge had been extremely open about his use of cannabis in interview.

“His drug of choice is cannabis,” said Mr Pearson.

“He estimates he smokes between 50-100 grams a week, he says it calms him down as he suffers with anxiety and depression.

“He has not used antidepressants from his GP, because he doesn’t feel they work. He has no intention of stopping his cannabis use, he feels it is the best way forward.”

Wedge has a number of previous offences linked to drugs, including possession for Class A, B and C drugs, as well as possession with intent to supply. Mr Pearson said Wedge had a “shocking” history of breaching community orders.

Magistrates ordered Wedge to serve a 12-month community order, which requires him to complete 70 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £85 costs and a £95 surcharge, while all the cannabis and growing equipment was ordered to be destroyed.