A ‘STOP AND SEARCH’ of a drug dealer driving on the A34 led police to a cannabis factory worth thousands of pounds.

Police officers who stopped Artur Skretowski and visited his Linacre Close home in Didcot officers discovered a ‘commercial’ drug dealing operation including cannabis plants, amphetamines and a stun gun.

The 30-year-old had already admitted possession with intent to supply amphetamine and cannabis as well as possession of a stun gun.

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Oxford Crown Court heard at his sentencing hearing yesterday how Skretowski was stopped by police at 1.15pm on November 18 last year on a slip road of the A34 Milton Interchange.

Officers said they could detect a strong smell of cannabis from inside the silver Peugeot driven by Skretowski, who was with one woman passenger.

He had a joint of cannabis on him and he was promptly taken straight to Abingdon Police Station.

While he in the cells, police went to his one-bedroom home where they discovered his cannabis factory.

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Inside there was a total of 19 cannabis pot plants growing underneath a black tent in what prosecutors said was a ‘fairly professional’ hydroponic set up.

On further exploration police seized 276g of amphetamine as well as a stun gun stored in a shelving unit next to the front door.

Other items indicating a drugs operation included a mobile phone with ‘dirty’ messages said to be related to dealing, and a tick list.

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At his sentencing yesterday, prosecutors said that the total haul of drugs if sold on the street would be in the thousands of pounds.

In mitigation, Skretowski’s defence barrister Christopher Harper said that the stun gun was not charged and that his client did not have the means by which to charge it.

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He said Skretowski claimed to have ‘found’ the item in a park and that in his native Poland the item was relatively common.

He added: “It is the sort of tool that is sold as a toy. In Poland where he comes from these are the sorts of things that ladies carry at night for their own protection.

“These are common where he comes from.”

He went on to say that since the offence Skretowski had taken efforts to address his own drugs problems and was committed to staying clean.

Sentencing, Judge Peter Ross said that Skretowski had made ‘considerable progress’ and ordered a suspended jail term.

Skretowski was given a two-year sentence suspended for two years and made subject to a four-month overnight curfew.

He must also carry out drug rehabilitation requirement for one year and made subject to a prohibited activity requirement not to consume or possess any unlawful drug.

Skretowski will also have to pay a statutory victim surcharge.