Drug-factory house landlords warned of prosecution risk

Landlords whose houses were turned into drugs factories are being warned they could face prosecution if it happens again.

Humberside Police has written to the nine owners of properties in Hull, which were stripped out and converted into cannabis factories.

Many of the grow houses had getaway routes or places to hide and one even had a booby trap for potential intruders.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Over 3,000 cannabis plants with an estimated value of 750,000 were seized by police. Last month nine people were sentenced at Hull Crown Court for their part in the drugs ring.

Officers say landlords should take references and visit their properties regularly. They say the chances are their insurance will not cover the extensive damage caused by the growers.

Chief inspector Gerry Darling, from Humberside Police, urged anyone with suspicions about a house in their street to call police. He said any repeat of events would leave the landlords "open to prosecution."

He said: "These properties are basically turned into death traps. They tamper with the electrics.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Landlords have a moral obligation to protect their property and neighbouring properties."

The ringleader, 26-year-old Tuan Anh Nguyen – known locally as Tony – rented properties mainly in west Hull, but also in Beverley Road, in north Hull, and Nashcourt, in Orchard Park.

Illegal immigrants were then moved into the houses and worked as "gardeners" to cultivate cannabis plants.

The drugs were then taken to a central warehouse on Peel Street, west Hull, for distribution across the country.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Last October police, working as part of Operation Dill, stopped two vehicles after they had left Peel Street and found quantities of cannabis in bags.

The first property linked to the network, on Grove Street, Hull, was raided on November 18.

Nguyen was arrested at an address in Byker, Newcastle, where utility bills for all the houses were found. Police then swooped on the other properties.

Nguyen, who entered the UK three years ago on a student visa and took a business management degree, was jailed for four years and eight months by Judge Roger Thorn QC for his "managerial" role in the set-up.