A MAN has been sentenced after a cannabis farm was found at his rented home in Kendal.
Police called at Liam Roche’s Captain French Lane address last May after detecting a strong smell of the the drug while investigating another matter nearby. Sat on the doorstep was Roche, who commented: “I have been almost expecting you. I have got about 50 plants upstairs.”
Officers discovered a “semi-sophisticated” cannabis factory in one room with a 2kg criminal yield and a potential value of £11,000. An electrical supply had been diverted, a ventilation system was in place and Roche’s intention to supply the drug once it had grown was laid bare on mobile phone text messages seen by police.
Roche, a 30-year-old man of previous character, admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply, and cannabis production.
He was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court today (TUES), when it was stressed that others were also involved in the illegal operation, and that Roche held an “operational function within a chain for possession with intent to supply”.
After noting Roche was in full-time work and had “conquered” his cannabis habit, Judge James Adkin suspended a nine-month prison sentence for 12 months.
Roche, now of Borrowdale Road, Stockport, was also ordered to complete 250 hours’ unpaid work and pay £250 costs.
“It seems to me that this was a profession operation,” Judge Adkin said of the crime.
