Million-pound Pudsey cannabis factory detected over £4,000 weekly energy bill
A cannabis farm capable of producing £1 million worth of the drug was uncovered due to the property’s astronomical electricity bill.
Northern Power alerted the police that around £4,000 worth of electricity was being used at premises on Ruskin Street, Pudsey.
Four Vietnamese men were jailed at Leeds Crown Court today after admitting producing cannabis. They all appeared in court via video link from HMP Leeds, where they were being held on remand.
Prosecutor Andrew Espley said the police and fire brigade attended the building on June 12.
Two defendants, Pham Khac Tung and Tai Phan both tried to flee across a roof, but were arrested, along with Vo Khamh and Tuan Nguyen-Van.
Police found 22 rooms filled over three floors with around 4,500 plants in various stages of growth, along with all the usual growing equipment.
Mr Espley said all four defendants put forward a basis that they were “badly-paid gardeners”.
Mitigating for 34-year-old Tung, Celine Kart said he had been remanded since June but had used his time wisely learning English and working as a tailor five days a week.
She said it was his first taste of custody and it had been a “sobering experience”, but was “under no illusion” as to the sentence he would receive.
For 32-year-old Nguyen-Van, Lily Wildman said he was also taking English classes and works in the sewing factory in HMP Leeds.
She said he became involved in the cannabis farm “out of desperation”.
Mitigating for 35-year-old Khamh, Tonicha Allen said he had come from Vietnam with the promise of a better life. She said he was living in Birmingham before being taken to the cannabis factory in Pudsey.
For 31-year-old Phan, Nicholas Leadbeater said his client realised a custodial sentence was inevitable and will likely be deported. He said he “deeply regrets” becoming involved.
Judge Anesh Pema described the site as a “sophisticated production”.
Only Khamh has a previous conviction, receiving a nine-month sentence in 2020 for drugs matters.
Khamh and Tung received 32 months, with Nguyen-Ven and Phan receiving 27 months.
He said all four are liable for deportation after serving their sentence.