Man Handed Two-Year Sentence in Connection to a Major Cannabis Factory in Lincolnshire
Minh Nguyen, a 43-year-old man with no fixed address, has received a two-year sentence following his involvement in one of Lincolnshire's largest-ever cannabis factories, according to reports from Lincoln Crown Court.
The massive cannabis production facility was located at the former site of King Road Tyres on Station Road in the quiet village of Hubberts Bridge. Police discovered an astonishing 6,000 cannabis plants on three floors of the disused warehouse during a warrant executed on January 31 this year.
Cannabis Factory Shocked Local Residents
The scale of the factory has left nearby residents astonished. Police revealed that the thousands of plants were situated in separate rooms throughout the warehouse, which had been largely repurposed for cultivation.
Claims of Modern Day Slavery Dismissed
During the course of criminal proceedings, Nguyen made claims of coercion. He stated in an interview that while homeless in Birmingham, two strangers had offered him food, safety and shelter. However, he purportedly awoke the following day at the warehouse in Hubberts Bridge. Nguyen's claims that he was an unwilling participant, a victim of modern day slavery, were rejected during the trial.
Key Insights from Detective Constable
Detective Constable Kerry Kinroy, who was involved in the investigation, said: "This is one of the largest grows we have discovered in Lincolnshire and follows an excellent development of intelligence. We rely on the public to inform us of any concerns they have in relation to suspected cannabis grows - and this information can sometimes prove crucial."
She further added: "It’s really important to state that cannabis production is far from harmless: It is often linked to wider, organised criminality which is why tackling the wider issues of drug supply is one of our Force’s key priorities. We remain determined to crack down on criminal enterprises and remove drugs from circulation. I hope the outcome of this case shows that drugs in our county will not be tolerated."