Newlyweds are arrested as they land in UK from dream Cuban wedding – after neighbours sniff out £22,500 cannabis factory inside their home

• Leigha and Ricky Armstrong were arrested for cannabis factory at their home
• There house in Pontypool, Gwent, was raided when they were on honeymoon
• Police found 34 plants, and a notepad full of growing instructions inside
• The couple were charged with producing a controlled class B drug and handed suspended sentences 

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A couple were arrested when they returned from their dream Caribbean wedding because neighbours smelled out a cannabis plantation in their home.

Police raided the house of blushing bride Leigha Armstrong, 25, and groom Ricky, 29, of Pontypool, Gwent, while they were on their honeymoon 4,000 miles away in Cuba. 

Officers were tipped off by residents who reported a strong smell from inside, and they found a locked room with 34 cannabis plants and heating equipment inside.

A court heard dopey groom Mr Armstrong also left a notepad full of calculations and growing instructions. 

Police raided the house of blushing bride Leigha Armstrong and groom Ricky (pictured) of Pontypool, Gwent while they were away celebrating their wedding

The pair, were arrested on their arrival back as Mr and Mrs in July 2017. 

Prosecutor Tony Trigg said the plants had a maximum value of £22,500 with the plants produce an estimated 30 to 90 ounces.

When they jetted off on their honeymoon they left behind a cousin to look after their drug factory in the rented house, who was said to be ‘dog sitting.’

Newport Crown Court heard the couple claimed the nuptials were paid for by a ‘tax rebate’ although police suspected it was from their plantation.

The pair (pictured on their wedding day in July 2017) were arrested on their arrival back as Mr and Mrs

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Newport Crown Court heard the couple claimed the nuptials (pictured) were paid for by a ‘tax rebate’ although police suspected it was from their plantation.

Defending Gareth Williams said it was clear the Armstrongs were ‘in it together.’

He said: ‘While there are not as many plants as you sometimes see in these cases, this was a determined effort to grow.’

He added: ‘It’s surprising that anyone who has done this before would write this information down to leave as a Christmas present for the authorities.’

The newlyweds, were charged with producing a controlled class B drug.

Judge Geraint Walters said: ‘So happy were you in your little world you celebrated your marriage in Cuba leaving a drugs factory back in your house.

The couple signing the marriage register. They were arrested when they returned to Wales after 34 cannabis plants were found in their home

Self-employed Mr Armstrong, who pleaded guilty and beautician Mrs Armstrong, who earlier pleaded not guilty but then changed her plea, were handed suspended sentences

‘You thought: ‘Why do I bother working when I can make vast sums of money growing cannabis?’

‘People who think they can set up these factories will find that they too get knocks from police officers, because they are not that discrete.

‘This kind of behaviour is a scourge.’

Self-employed Mr Armstrong, who pleaded guilty, was given an eight month suspended sentence. He must do 150 hours unpaid work.

Beautician Mrs Armstrong, who earlier pleaded not guilty but then changed her plea, was given a nine month suspended sentence.

She must do 120 hours unpaid work. 

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