Cannabis farmer fell to his death
A MAN who died at a huge cannabis factory fell to his death, an inquest heard.
A MAN who died at a huge cannabis factory fell to his death, an inquest heard.
The body of Duy Hai Tran, 37, a Vietnamese illegal immigrant, was found 60ft beneath a broken skylight inside two converted units on the Redhills Industrial Estate, South Woodham Ferrers.
The death was treated as a murder probe, but police found no eye witnesses to confirm if he fell or was pushed.
Det Ch Insp Mark Hall told an inquest at New Bridge House, Chelmsford, that a rival crime gang broke into the unit overnight on December 9, 2010.
Mr Tran was on the phone to his sister-in-law at 3.36am when he said "someone is coming" before the line went dead.
A gang is thought to have used weapons, including a machete and meat cleaver, to force Mr Tran and three other so-called cannabis farmers to harvest about 3,000 plants, with a street value of £2.4million, for them.
At some stage during a two-hour ordeal, the Vietnamese nationals are believed to have escaped through a skylight.
Mr Hall said it was dark and icy on the roof.
Coroner Caroline Beasley Murray said it was most likely Mr Tran was fleeing those committing the burglary or pursuing them.
By morning an anonymous estate worker reported cannabis being found at the back of unit 18.
It is believed the burglars may have fled after the death.
Police found Mr Tran on his back and he had died of head and spinal injuries.
Mr Hall said: "This is a very sad case because it seems Mr Tran came to the UK in search of a better life but he met a violent and tragic death.
"We believe at least two other men worked at the cannabis factory and we suspect they hold the key to what happened to Mr Tran. We would urge them, or anyone who knows them, to come forward as soon as possible."
Eight men have been charged and sentenced in connection with burglary and conspiracy to supply cannabis in connection with the factory and two other men have admitted similar offences and will be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court later this month.
http://www.brentwoodweeklynews.co.uk 26/05/2012
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