Chinese man found guilty of producing cannabis

4:57pm Friday 4th July 2008

A CHINESE man who was living in a house full of cannabis plants was found guilty of producing a controlled drug.

Pei Liu, aged 44, denied the offence and claimed he thought the plants were a wild herb found on the mountains in China.

Police raided the detached house in Angel Bank, Horwich, on March 3 and discovered 339 cannabis plants and sophisticated equipment.

A jury heard evidence in the trial on Thursday, and today it returned a unanimous guilty verdict after deliberating for half an hour.

Bolton Crown Court heard on Thursday that police officers raided the four-bedroom property and discovered the cannabis farm, which was being tended to by Liu.

There was lighting in each room, reflective strips on the walls and a ventilation system to get rid of the fumes. The electricity supply had also been tampered with and all the curtains were closed.

Liu said he did not have any involvement in setting up the cannabis farm, but he did water the plants for three weeks.

He had been in the country for a year and travelled from London to Manchester to find a job.

He went to Chinatown in Manchester in February and he said he was approached by a man called Xiao Yu, who offered him free accommodation and food, as well as £180 a week to water some flowers.

The case has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report and check his immigration status.

Judge Steven Everett told Liu: "You must answer all the questions to assist the court to decide what best to do with you."

He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on August 29.