Three jailed for cannabis farms worth £375,000

Three men have been jailed today (10 February) at Preston Crown Court for conspiracy to produce cannabis.

Between 2010 and 2013 Xun Zhang, Haobo Dou and Baoming Yang were involved in buying a number of properties at auction for cash, including one in Bridge Street, Heywood, which were turned in to cannabis farms.

Xun Zhang and Haobo Dou were convicted of conspiracy to produce cannabis following a two month trial which concluded at Preston Crown Court in January 2014. Baoming Yang pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis at an earlier hearing.

Ben Southam, Senior Crown Prosecutor at the North West CPS Complex Casework Unit said “The defendants were involved in the commercial production of cannabis by buying houses for cash. They then adapted the properties into large-scale and sophisticated cannabis farms.

“The cannabis was destined for the streets of the United Kingdom and possibly abroad. They created a risk to the neighbours of the properties by virtue of the electrical supply, culminating in a fire at one of the properties.

“The convictions and sentences imposed show that the CPS and police will not tolerate those involved in the production and supply of drugs, and we will bring to justice those who commit such offences.

“A hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 is scheduled to take place later this year to consider confiscating their assets.”

Individual Sentences:

Xun Zhang – Six years and eight months imprisonment

Haobo Dou – Six years imprisonment

Baoming Yang – Ten months imprisonment

The properties were at:

30 Bridge Street, Heywood - the remnants of a cannabis factory, including hydroponic equipment was found.

4 Read Avenue, Blackpool – 215 plants – valued between £34-43,000

6 Shaw Road, Blackpool– 453 plants – valued over £100,000

18 Kirby Road, Blackpool – 291 plants – valued between £50-100,000

15 Priestley Street, Sheffield – 453 plants – valued in excess of £100,000

43/43a Derby Road, Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire - 66 plants – valued between £14-32,500.