Pubdate: Sat, 06 Dec 2008
Source: Journal, The (UK)
Copyright: 2008 NCJ Media Limited
Contact:  http://www.journallive.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3752
Author: Dan Warburton
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)

VILLAGES 'A TARGET FOR DRUG RINGS'

Drug dealing gangs are targeting rural Northumberland villages in
sophisticated cannabis production operations, a judge said yesterday.

Judge Guy Whitburn spoke out as he sentenced two men for their part in
a drugs ring that stunned the village of Belford.

On January 24, police raided a property on the industrial site on
Station Road where they discovered ?16,000 worth of mature cannabis
plants.

Nigel Thompson, 47, claimed loan sharks had used the backyard of his
home for a year-long production of cannabis as he looked to settle a
?17,000 debt.

And when police swooped on a parked caravan, they found 230 healthy
cannabis plants, along with sophisticated lighting and ventilation
equipment. Thomas Robson, 51, was found to be a "gardener" in the
vehicle and admitted tending to the plants and helping their
production. And yesterday Judge Whitburn said there were an increasing
number of drug farms being discovered in rural Northumberland areas.

He said: "This seems to be a common thing in Northumberland. People in
these far-reach areas are being lured into cultivating drugs."

At Newcastle Crown Court yesterday, it was claimed Robson and Thompson
were part of a larger criminal organisation that targeted vulnerable
people and set up camp in remote areas.

After the pair were arrested, they both refused to shop those who had
lured them into the drugs ring. Tony Glover, prosecuting, said the
pair were frightened of the repercussions of naming them.

Northumbria Police last night said they carry out extensive
investigations to locate drug farms and denied that mass-scale
production of cannabis in villages was an issue.

Robson, who lives on Ditchburn Road, South Charlton, in Alnwick,
Northumberland, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of
cannabis and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Thompson admitted allowing his premises to be used for the production
of cannabis but denied helping to produce it. He was given a 36-week
prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin