Illegal immigrant who tended secret cannabis farm in Birkenhead house is jailed

Jun 25 2008 by Sue McCann, Birkenhead News

AN ILLEGAL Vietnamese immigrant was caught working as “a gardener” at a secret cannabis farm, a court heard.

Police officers who raided the house in Westbank Road, Birkenhead, on January 29 found the illicit operation was being run from five growing rooms.

Altogether, it was estimated that the cannabis discovered could have yielded two-and-a-half kilos which was worth about £2,500, said Kim Egerton, prosecuting.

A sophisticated hydroponic system was installed and it was found that the electricity meter had been by-passed to provide free power.

Living and working there was 19-year-old Phi Hoang who was last week jailed for 20 months after admitting producing cannabis and perverting the course of justice by giving a false date of birth after his arrest.

Miss Egerton said that when interviewed Hoang said he had been allowed to stay at the house in return for watering the plants and turning lights on and off and had been given about £20 for food.

He said he had been put under some pressure and threats and would be instructed once a week what to do.

When charged, he said he was 15 but when he got to the youth court said he was 16. Investigations then revealed he was 19.

Lee Bonner, defending, said Hoang arrived at Dover last November and sought asylum but his application had not yet been dealt with.

He arrived here with very little and knowing no-one and was offered work for a roof over his head and food.

Mr Bonner said: “He was easy prey.”

Judge David Aubrey QC said Hoang had succumbed to temptation and been exploited by those prepared to exploit his vulnerability.

He told the defendant: “I accept you were not managing or running this operation but, if there weren’t those like you who were prepared to act as a worker or gardener, then it is unlikely that there would be these cannabis factories.”