Cannabis farmer has proceeds of crime seizure called off
Accused told he is free to go after Crown drops action
A Paisley haulage boss caged for operating a cannabis farm will face no further action over his assets.
Paul Baird, 48, was jailed for a year for running a cultivation in a container at his brother’s haulage yard.
Baird, who was handed his prison stretch in August 2016, also faced a separate legal battle over under tough proceeds of crime legislation.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard Baird, of Colinslee Avenue in the town’s Lochfield area, had been handed a Confiscation Order for £40,000 last year.
But he was granted more time to pay off the sum following his release from jail.
Yesterday, he appeared at court and it was revealed he will no longer be chased for any outstanding debts.
Defence agent Tom Williamson said: “There had been a means inquiry in respect of Mr Baird and the proceeds of crime application.
“But I can explain the position in that an administrator has been appointed from November 30.”
Fiscal depute Claire Rowan confirmed the prosecution concurred with the development and added the Crown would be “making no further order” in the case.
Baird was told he was free to go and that brought the proceedings to an end.
The haulier had used the premises at Meadowside Industrial Estate, in Renfrew, to be used for the production for Class-B drugs.
Initially, he had claimed he was unaware what was happening in the yard, even though police were drawn to the strong smell of cannabis coming from the container.
It was claimed that he had rented out two trailers to another individual and was oblivious to what was going to take place.
However, he was eventually forced to admit he had known what was going on at the business, which was home to Scotia Trucking Services, a firm run by him and his brother.
Fiscal Depute Colin Wilson told the court police were drawn to three large containers “because of the overpowering smell of what they believed to be cannabis.”
He said: “The first container was equipped for cannabis cultivation and contained four separate areas, divided by sheeting, with plants growing of various sizes.
“The police also observed an alarm system which was operated by motion sensors.
“In the second container, police discovered remains of a cannabis cultivation, and several pieces of equipment and a large amount of plant pots. The third container had no obvious signs of cannabis cultivation.”
The fiscal added cops recovered the Class-B drugs, as well as 98 different pieces of paraphernalia associated with cannabis cultivation. It was stated that a total of 94 plants had been recovered with an estimated value of between £18,000 and £36,000 depending on yield.
Sheriff Susan Sinclair told Baird due to the substantial value of the drugs, jail could not be avoided.
The first container was equipped for cannabis cultivation with plants of various sizes Fiscal depute Colin Wilson