Father smuggled drug for addict son

A father working for the firm that cleaned up cannabis farms after raids by West Midland Police gave £6,000 worth of the drugs to his 23-year-old addict son.

Paul Jarvis smuggled a kilo of cannabis from an industrial unit in Mount Street, Nechells, the day after police discovered a drug factory there, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

Prosecutor Mr Geoffrey Dann revealed: "He was employed by a company that West Midlands Police had contracted to clear out the premises where cannabis farms had been found.

"The arrangement was for them to dismantle the factory and destroy the plants."

But officers saw the 47-year-old put some of the haul into a box, which he took to the firm's depot in Wednesbury by company van. His wife arrived at the premises soon afterwards in a Ford Fiesta and Jarvis put the box into the car, which was then driven to the family's Wolverhampton home.

Police raided the property in Colley Avenue, Low Hill, soon afterwards and found the cannabis leaves drying on a frame in a garden shed, continued Mr Dann.

Jarvis's son Andrew was spotted running away as the officers swooped and was detained soon afterwards.

They also found £12,720 cash in a safe at the house.

Jarvis admitted cannabis possession with intent to supply but insisted it was the first time that he had taken drugs from a raided farm, despite being in the job for 15 years.

Mr Dann continued yesterday: "Paul Jarvis pleads guilty on the basis that he had effectively stolen the cannabis to provide for his son who was an addict.

"The money was seized under civil elements of the Proceeds of Crime Act and a magistrates court hearing will decide in due course if it is, or is not, criminal property. Mr Jarvis said it was his savings.

"Taking all matters into account the prosecution does not in any way challenge the assertion that he had not previously been involved in drug dealing."

Jarvis's wife was also arrested as a result of the inquiry but did not face any criminal charge.

Mr Balbir Singh, defending Paul Jarvis who was sacked after the incident on October 27 last year, said: "He had been having problems as a result of the cannabis addiction of his son. People had been knocking at their door.

"The drugs were going into a skip and he gave into temptation and took them home, not with the intention of selling them or making a profit, but to give to his son."

Mr Jon Roe, defending Andrew Jarvis, who had previous convictions for cannabis production and possession of crack cocaine, said: "He is determined to address his problem and see the end of his drug addiction."

Judge Roslyn Bush jailed Paul Jarvis for 16 months. Andrew Jarvis, also of Colley Avenue, admitted possession of cannabis and was given a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, with a four-month night time tagged curfew.