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Illegal immigrant jailed over £600k Halesowen cannabis farm

A Vietnamese illegal immigrant caught at a £600,000 cannabis factory has been jailed for three years.

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Police found the large-scale operation when they raided Shenstone Trading Estate in Bromsgrove Road, Halesowen, on July 31.

Officers armed with a search warrant captured Toan B Chu as he tried to flee the factory, which had seven growing areas with a total of 647 plants.

Prosecuting at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Mr John Brotherton said: "It is said that the defendant tried to get away through the fire door, but it was held shut against him by the officers. They forced entry and found the defendant inside an extensive and substantial cannabis plantation."

Cannabis seized at Shenstone Trading Estate

The 27-year-old was arrested and taken to Brierley Hill police station for questioning.

"In his interview, he said he was living in the UK illegally and arrived two years ago," said Mr Brotherton. "He had been in the unit for about 50 days after being taken there by two men he did not know and was locked inside. He said he had not been forced or threatened to do it.

Bags of cannabis seized at Shenstone Trading Estate

"His role was to tend the plants as a garden man. He had not been paid. Food and supplies were delivered to him by people he did not know. He said he was not involved in the setting up of the farm or the tampering of the electricity supply."

The 647 plants were found in various stages of growth and police expect their yield was up to £617,000.

Utility firm Avon Power lost £23,106 after the electricity supply was bypassed.

Chu, of no fixed abode, admitted an offence of production of cannabis and an offence of abstraction of electricity at an earlier hearing.

Defending, Mr Jonathan Barker said: "He was taken there by two men of Pakistani origin. He was promised payment, but received none. Two days before the arrival of the police those responsible came and collected another Vietnamese worker.

"He was never threatened to do it, but was exploited because of his position."

Judge Stephen Eyre QC jailed Chu for a total of three years. He will then be deported.

The judge also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and the equipment.

"I have considered the guidelines and this case falls into category one. You are a person who played a lesser role, but at the upper end of those who perform such roles," he said.

During the month of July, West Midlands Police seized 3,637 cannabis plants worth £2 million across the region.

July's figures were an increase on June when they seized and destroyed 2,820 cannabis plants worth an estimated £1.5m.

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