Cannabis Dealer's Grow Discovered by Police Responding to Burglary

A cannabis farm was found in the home of a Nottinghamshire man when police responded to a reported burglary at the property.

Aron Chadwick, 27, of Victory Road, Beeston, admitted a charge of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on 6th January 2020.

He had previously admitted charges of possession of a controlled drug and cultivation of cannabis during an earlier appearance at Nottingham Magistrates' Court.

Chadwick had initially denied the PWITS charge. Sentence was withheld in relation to the other two offences, thereby giving the court opportunity to sentence in totality once the outcome of the PWITS charge was known.

The facts of the case were outlined to the court.

Chadwick rode away from his property on a motorcycle shortly before 8 pm on Wednesday, 25th October 2017. A short time later two men kicked in the front door, entered the property and were seen running away carrying a bag. A concerned member of the public, who had witnessed the men fleeing the scene, contacted the police.

Officers attended the property. Inside they discovered cannabis plants being grown in the upstairs bedrooms using hydroponics equipment. They also found drug dealing paraphernalia in the living room, including cling film wraps containing cannabis and digital scales.

Mobile phones, computers and other electronic equipment were also seized.

Chadwick was seen riding his motorcycle while officers were still at the scene, but sped off into the distance instead of returning home to face the consequences.

However, he later contacted the police and arranged to hand himself in the next day.

Analysis of one of his mobile phones showed evidence of drug dealing.

A drugs expert witness gave evidence that the 13 plants seized would have a street value of up to £10,000 and that the amount recovered was too high to be considered solely for personal use.

Chadwick was sentenced to 12 months' custody suspended for 12 months.

The normal forfeiture and destruction and victim surcharge orders were made.

Detective Constable Anna Haynes, of Nottinghamshire Police's burglary team, said: "Growing cannabis is not only illegal, it puts people at greater risk of being victims of burglary and home invasions.

"This case was just one example of a number of incidents that we attend which are reported as burglaries but also lead to further investigations into drug production and supply."