Colwyn Bay - Cannabis 'factory' man is jailed

Last Updated: Friday, 22 April, 2005, 16:08 GMT 17:08 UK  E-mail this to a friend Printable version

Cannabis 'factory' man is jailed

McFadden did not make financial gain from the drugs A man has been jailed for three years after a cannabis 'factory' was set up in a warehouse he owned in Colwyn Bay.Darren McFadden, 38, admitted possessing the drug with intent to supply at Caernarfon Crown Court. He also admitted permitting premises to be used for the production of the drug after 131 plants were found. His defence barrister said he did not realise until January 2004 what the warehouse, which he sub-let, was being used for. Judge Huw Daniel described it as the largest cannabis factory ever discovered in North Wales. The warehouse off Abergele Road had been leased to a man who McFadden, who lived locally, thought wanted to store furniture. The wholesale value of the drug was put at £23,000 and the street value as £58,000, but Judge Daniel remarked there would be at least two crops a year. The court heard from McFadden's defence barrister that he had played no part in the operation but became "sucked in". Sandwich bar owner McFadden had received £15,000 a year in rent for the sub-let but had played no other part in the operation, the court was told in mitigation.An earlier hearing was told he was too scared to report the situation and had been told the man sub-letting the warehouse would be leaving soon.