Two jailed for growing ‘massive' cannabis farm at former Hardaker's showroom in Hull

GOOD JOB: PCSO's Pat Cook (left) and Jon Hammerton at the old Hardaker's building in Beverley Road, Hull which was used as a drug factory by Thu Van Nguyen (top right) and Thang Van Nguyen

TWO Vietnamese men have each been jailed for two years for growing one of Hull's biggest cannabis farms.

Thu Van Nguyen, 46, and Thang Van Nguyen, 44, were sentenced at Hull Crown Court for producing a controlled drug after a large cannabis factory was discovered in a former fireplace showroom.

Almost 1,700 plants with a street value of £1.5m were found in the former Hardaker's showroom in Beverley Road, Hull.

The farm was sniffed out by PCSO Pat Cook, who noticed the distinctive aroma of cannabis while on patrol with his colleague, PCSO Jon Hammerton.

Mr Cook's sense of smell had previously led police to the city's biggest cannabis factory, when 2,000 plants with a street value of £2m were found in a council-owned building n Northumberland Avenue.

Speaking after the latest find, Mr Cook said: "I was really surprised. I didn't expect it to be as big as the other one.

"This was almost equal in size to the one in Northumberland Avenue. It was absolutely massive."

The officers had noticed the smell increasing in strength as they patrolled the area over time.

Mr Hammerton said: "It was getting stronger all the time, which is why we thought it must be being grown somewhere."

The building was raided by officers from the Riverside neighbourhood policing team (NPT) after the two PCSOs filed intelligence reports.

Sgt Jim Clough, of the neighbourhood team, said after the two men were sentenced: "This cannabis factory was discovered as a result of good local policing.

"Members of the NPT noticed a strong smell in the area and carried out inquiries, which led to a Misuse of Drug Act warrant being executed.

"It was a complex set-up, with industrial lighting and ventilation units fitted to cultivate a large number of cannabis plants across nine rooms.

"I am pleased Thang Van Nguyen and Thu Van Nguyen have been imprisoned for their active role in ensuring the crop yielded a large volume of cannabis, which would have undoubtedly been sold in the community.

"I would encourage members of the public to assist us in tackling this type of criminality by reporting any information about drugs cultivation or supply so we can take positive action.

http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk 10/07/2014