Man rented barn to set up cannabis factory
AN enterprising scaffolder rented a countryside barn which he turned into a potentially lucrative cannabis farm. But Sam Griffin's plans to land himself almost £150,000 to finance his business were foiled when the farmer noticed electricity
AN enterprising scaffolder rented a countryside barn which he turned into a potentially lucrative cannabis farm. But Sam Griffin's plans to land himself almost £150,000 to finance his business were foiled when the farmer noticed electricity
The businessman, of Northcote Road, Downend, pleaded guilty to cannabis production at Bristol Crown Court, where he was jailed for two-and-a-half years.
Judge Carol Hagen said the 33-year-old "showed enterprise" to set up the factory in Tytherington, South Gloucestershire.
The court heard the original tenant of a barn on Hill Farm had sub-let the building to him. Griffin then installed a complex arrangement of insulation, automatic feeding pipes and lights to grow 288 plants.
The allegedly cash-strapped businessman invested around £15,000 in the set-up which he put together using instructions he found on the internet.
But cracks emerged in his plans when the farmer noticed rocketing electricity bills from the out building and notified the police.
A warrant was executed and the person renting the barn was initially arrested before Griffin handed himself in as the responsible party. Cannabis experts working with the police said the plants were worth between £48,000 and £144,000 sold in bulk, with a street value of up to £240,000.
Jailing him yesterday, Judge Hagen said: "It gives me no pleasure in sending you to prison, but to prison you must go."
http://www.bristolpost.co.uk 18/10/2013
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