A COUPLE who helped to run a cannabis farm have each been jailed for two years.

Tan Vo, 45, and Quy Nguyen, 57, who were tracked to Bolton, posed as a couple to rent a house in Wellfield Road, Blackburn, in January last year, Preston Crown Court heard.

But when detectives raided the terraced house seven months later they found a sophisticated drugs-growing operation in upstairs bedroom and the loft, the court was told.

Prosecutors say 110 plants were discovered, which were capable of producing yields of four-and-a-half kilos of cannabis, with a street value of around £55,000.

The operation was supported by lighting, heating and ventilation units, the court heard.

Vo and Nguyen were eventually tracked down to a house in The Sheddings, Bolton, where they had established another fledgling drugs farm.

Michael Goldwater, prosecuting, said a number of pieces of evidence linked the couple to the Blackburn house.

CCTV footage captured at a Blackburn newsagents showed Nguyen paying a council tax bill, he told the court.

Further security camera stills caught him topping up the credit for a mobile phone at Asda, using the same Toyota car which he had used while renting the Wellfield Road property.

The Toyota car was later found abandoned by police after it had been involved in an accident, smelling strongly of cannabis. A bank transfer form in the names of Nguyen and Vo was found inside, the court heard.

This form then led police to the Bolton address.

Mr Goldwater said when the Bolton house was raided 200 cannabis cuttings were recovered, alongside five propagators and plastic zip bags. The 'grow' was again supported by a similar heating and lighting set-up.

Police also discovered 40 ecstasy tablets and around 50 grams of ketamine, which were linked to Vo.

The court heard that neither of the two defendants could be considered to be the prime movers in the conspiracy thought it was accepted both had played significant roles.

Detailing Vo's police interview, Mr Goldwater said: "She said she had been in this country for four years. She got drunk in in Vietnam one night and woke up in London."

Nguyen and Vo each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis. Vo alone admitted to possession of ecstasy and ketamine with intent to supply.

Judge Simon Medland QC jailed both of them for two years and ordered deportation at the end of their sentences.