Two men who were put to work as gardeners of a £168,000 Carlisle cannabis farm in which every room of the house was given over to the illegal operation have each been given 12-month prison sentences.
Police officers attended the residential property on Wigton Road at around midnight on August 3 amid concern from members of the local community. A light was on inside the property, voices were heard, fans were whirring and there was a smell of cannabis.
Two men — Vietnamese pair Trong Phan, 33, and 47-year-old Quang Trinh — fled the address and ran into a nearby cul de sac before being detained after a short chase.
Both were found upon arrest to be in possession of mobile phones and wallets containing around £100 cash.
“The house was searched by police and it was found that every room in the property was being used in some way for the cultivation of cannabis,” prosector Fiona McNeill told Carlisle Crown Court today.
A significant commercial grow comprising 201 plants in various stages of maturity were found. The potential street value yield of the drug was estimated at up to £168,840.
Associate growing materials were also seized while the electricity supply had been bypassed.
Phan and Trinh were said to have acted as gardeners while living at the house and police located a double mattress, fully stocked fridge and freezer, and a working bathroom. Both the front and side doors had keys within the locks to allow exit and entry from the property.
The two men, both of no fixed address, admitted cannabis production.
Lawyers gave mitigation on behalf of both men and spoke of them having family in Vietnam, and of finding themselves in the UK with no legitimate means of supporting themselves.
Recorder Julian Shaw noted the pair had been remanded in custody since early August as he imposed 12-month jail sentences in each case.
“This was a very significant cannabis growing operation,” said Recorder Shaw. “I accept you were the gardeners. But I have regard to the impact this has had on the community.”
