Newport Man Grew Cannabis for ‘Post-apocalyptic Currency’

A 53-year-old Newport man who was found with cannabis plants growing in his house claimed he was preparing for societal collapse and intended to use the drugs as “currency”. 📱

Police discovered 33 cannabis plants in five growing tents during a raid on Gavin Smart’s Newport home on November 29 last year. The yield of the plants was estimated to be between 1.3kg and 1.7kg.

A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Monday heard the defendant told police he was growing cannabis as “society would soon collapse”, and he would use the cannabis as “currency” to sell for medical purposes.

Smart also claimed he had a “distrust of the NHS” but denied calling himself a “Doomsday prepper”.

In her sentencing remarks, Judge Celia Hughes said police were called to the scene of a collision in Malpas Road, Newport, on January 1, where a passenger reported that a van had driven into the back of their car, deliberately shunted their vehicle forwards and driven off.

Police later found the van crashed into a tree and positioned vertically. Smart was trapped inside and upon being rescued, lied to officers, claiming his name was “Dwayne”.

Smart, of Brynglas Avenue, pleaded guilty to cannabis production, dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving with excess alcohol, driving without a licence and obstructing a police officer.

The court heard the defendant has eight previous convictions, including possession with intent to supply cannabis, conspiracy to supply class A, B and C drugs, and three convictions for driving with excess alcohol.

In mitigation, Sol Hartley said there were “malicious intentions” regarding his client’s actions and claimed Smart’s issues with alcohol caused him to “sleep drive or sleep walk”. The barrister added that the defendant helps care for his 19-year-old daughter who has autism, and he has recently experienced the death of his mother, father and business partner. The court also heard Smart has a degree in mathematics.

During sentencing, Judge Hughes told Smart: “You knew full well this was illegal and you were heavily involved in drug dealing in the past.”

Smart received a 24-month prison sentence and was disqualified from driving for five years.