‘Cannabis grower’ was victim of human trafficking

JON MACPHERSON

AV I E T NAMES E national charged with growing a £20,000 cannabis set-up in Great Harwood was a ‘victim of human trafficking’, a court heard.

The man was accused of growing the class B drug at a property on Hope Street between January and February this year.

The 43-year-old was arrested on February 24 after officers raided the house and found around 100 cannabis plants.

However the case against him has now been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service after he was found to be a victim of human trafficking.

Karen Brooks, prosecuting, told Burnley Crown Court that when he first appeared at court he was offering a defence under new provisions in the Modern Slavery Act.

The court was told that the National Referral Mechanism, which identifies victims of human trafficking and ensures they receive protection and support, were also contacted regarding the case.

Miss Brooks said: “The Home Office now accept that the defendant was the victim of human trafficking and as such he had been subjected to forced criminality in the United Kingdom.

“Under those circumstances it is my applica- tion to offer no evidence and ask for a not guilty verdict.”

He had been remanded in custody since his arrest and was appearing at court via video link. He had been charged with producing cannabis.

Defence barrister David Farley said: “I’m obviously supportive of my learned friend’s best efforts to offer no evidence.”

Judge Beverley Lunt said: “A not guilty verdict is entered. That is the end of the case and he will hear no more about it.”

Lancashire Police confirmed after the court hearing that they are still trying to find the man who rented the property who claimed to be a 35-yearold Thai national named David Khambay.

Speaking to the Observer after the cannabis raid, Great Harwood PC Anna Gavela said: “It was an organised grow. I don’t know how many harvests it had been through. It was an ongoing set-up.

“What we really need to find out are who are the gangs behind this are and who the traffickers are. They rent these houses and then basically disappear. [David Khambay] is the identity that the person who has taken the tenancy has used. It’s very likely that’s not his real name.”

Anyone with information call police on 101.