Wolverhampton mayor arrested after cannabis raid
The mayor of Wolverhampton has been arrested after cannabis plants were found by police at an industrial unit.
Liberal Democrat Malcolm Gwinnett was detained by Staffordshire Police on Saturday on suspicion of growing cannabis after the raid in Wombourne.
Mr Gwinnett, 58, said he had been "temporarily" arrested and strongly denied any wrongdoing. He has been bailed by police.
He said the plants were found in an annexe near a unit he rents out.
'I don't smoke'
The councillor for Spring Vale, who was elected mayor in May 2010, said: "It just happened to be next to my unit but it has nothing to do with me.
"I have no history with the police, in fact they thought it was funny.
"I don't smoke and I haven't been down to the unit since December," said Mr Gwinnett, who has been a councillor for 21 years.
The leisure firm boss from Pendeford in Wolverhampton said he did not think his arrest would damage his reputation or compromise his position on the council.
A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said a drugs warrant had been executed at A1 Tyres in Ounsdale Road, Wombourne, at 1000 GMT on Saturday.
He said a 58-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of the cultivation of cannabis and bailed pending further inquiries.