Middleport drug plants grower Tri Dang to face deportation  

VIETNAMESE cannabis grower Tri Dang has been jailed after he tended to more than 300 plants.

The 31-year-old, who came to the UK in the back of a lorry, was found at a house in Woolrich Street, Middleport, after officers discovered a strong smell of cannabis coming from inside.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard police enlisted the help of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and used a thermal imaging camera to detect a source of heat at the building.

Officers then went to the back of the house and saw the defendant leaving with a rucksack.

Dang had a key in his hand which fitted the door and he was arrested.

Officers went in the house and found 341 cannabis plants.

Prosecutor Paul Farrow said officers found 122 plants in the cellar, 49 in the loft, 105 in the front bedroom, 35 in the back bedroom and 30 in the middle bedroom.

The electricity had also been bypassed.

Dang told police he met a man in Birmingham who offered him accommodation and food in return for looking after plants.

He was taken to the Potteries by car and told what to do.

The defendant said the plants were already in the house and he was there for about a month-and-a-half.

He was the only person there on a day-to-day basis.

But the bosses would bring him food and check on the plants.

Dang, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to producing a class B drug on November 15.

Robert Smith, mitigating, said Dang, who has no previous convictions, was exploited by others.

He added that his client wants to return to Vietnam.

Judge Paul Glenn jailed Dang for 12 months, which means he should be automatically deported.

The judge said: "You were involved in a quite large-scale production.

"More than 300 cannabis plants were being grown using illegally-obtained electricity.

"The potential yield and value of those plants was significant. This was a commercial growing operation.

"The cannabis was obviously going to be supplied onwards.

"Your role was to tend to the plants.

"Your gain was free accommodation and food."

Judge Glenn accepted there had been a degree of exploitation but said Dang was not 'duped'.

He told Dang: "You express the view that you want to return to Vietnam.

"I think it is better for the UK taxpayer to see you deported rather than have to support you for anything beyond the absolute minimum."

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk 10/12/2013