A 29-year-old Penygroes man told police that the five ounces of cannabis he kept in his fridge was an ingredient for cooking, a court has heard.

Colin Mark Stephens, of 23 Glan y Gors, was spoken to by officers following a random stop-check in Cefneithin at 9.30pm on January 11.

Ellie Morgan, prosecuting, told Llanelli magistrates how the officers immediately smelled cannabis in the car.

When told his vehicle would be searched, Stephens handed over a small tin which had been sitting on the passenger seat. Inside was a quantity of herbal cannabis.

Stephens was arrested and taken to his home where he handed officers another small tin containing herbal cannabis.

“The police continued searching the property and in the main fridge in the kitchen they found a large sweet tin,” said Ms Morgan.

“Inside the tin the officers found a large amount of herbal cannabis.”

In total 141.15 grammes of the Class B drug was found on the premises.

Stephens also told the officers he was growing cannabis upstairs.

In a cultivation tent set up in one of the bedrooms, the officers found five cannabis plants in various states of growth. The tent also contained a growing-light set-up and liquid plant food.

In interview, Stephens confirmed all the drugs were his.

He told officers that the amount handed over in the car had been bought in Ammanford for £20. The quantity in the fridge had been grown at the property.

“He said it was from plants he had previously grown,” said Ms Morgan.

Stephens told the officers he planned to use it as an ingredient when he cooking.

Andrew Isaacs, defending, said Stephens accepted the drugs were his but disputed Ms Morgan’s £1,000 valuation.

“This wasn’t really any good for smoking,” he said.

Stephens admitted possessing 141.15 grammes of cannabis and producing five cannabis plants.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing for the completion of probation reports, but warned Stephens they wished to keep all options open, including a jail term.