CANNABIS FACTORY WARNING

A judge has lifted the lid on the "significant problem" of
organised cannabis farming.

Judge Simon Hammond said he was seeing more and more cases at
Leicester Crown Court of criminal gangs exploiting illegal immigrants
from Vietnam and China to tend to the plants.

He spoke out as he sentenced a Vietnamese cannabis "gardener" to two
years in jail - and recommended him for deportation.

Illegal immigrant Le Nguyen (32) pleaded guilty to growing the class C
drug after he was arrested at a rented house in Willowbrook Road, off
Forest Road, Leicester, on September 29.

Police found evidence that 153 plants had been grown in one room in
the house - potentially worth UKP52,000. Nguyen initially claimed to be
growing Chinese medicinal herbs, but eventually pleaded guilty to
cultivating cannabis.

During the hearing, Judge Hammond praised a sharp-eyed neighbour for
alerting the police to the secret farm - and urged others to do the
same.

Judge Hammond said: "The neighbour very properly and responsibly
called the police, who found it was a cannabis farm.

"He was very vigilant and is to be congratulated because it led to the
closing-down of this cannabis farm.

"The windows had been covered over and there was heating, lighting and
irrigation equipment inside.

"The electricity meter had also been bypassed.

"Cannabis farms in the UK have become a significant widespread
problem.

"They are highly lucrative and sophisticated operations run by
Vietnamese criminal gangs who recruit staff from Vietnam, as in this
case, and also China.

"That's because they're vulnerable and socially isolated coming here,
very often under debt bondage and speaking virtually no English.

"It involves renting a house for cash and cultivating cannabis on
13-week cycles, getting four crops annually.

"Electric meters are bypassed for the substantial amounts required and
windows are covered over to avoid prying eyes.

"These systems can generate a risk of fire. In Leicester, there have
been fires caused by such criminal operations."

There were 50 raids on drug factories throughout the county last
year.

Judge Hammond said: "Some houses have up to 500 plants growing with a
potential income of between UKP100,000 to UKP500,000."

He said homegrown skunk was four times more potent that imported
cannabis, causing serious health issues.

The court heard that Nguyen spent "a small inheritance" on coming to
the UK, arriving 18 months ago in the back of a lorry.

Another tip-off from residents in Guilford Drive, Wigston, last month
led to police smashing down the door of a property housing more than
200 cannabis plants with a potential value of UKP60,000.

A man has denied being concerned in the production of cannabis and is
due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court this month.

Sgt Mick Kelly, who led the raid, said: "We carried out this warrant
following intelligence gathered in the local community. It clearly
demonstrates how members of the public can play a part in the fight
against crime.

"If you suspect a house on your street is being used to cultivate
cannabis, then I urge you to get in contact with us and allow us the
opportunity to investigate."

Police raided another cannabis house in Barwell last month and found
1,000 plants.