Fishmonger created cannabis farm inside tent in spare room

Court hears that man told his girlfriend massive cultivation was a home gym

A fishmonger who told his girlfriend the £20,000 cannabis farm hidden in a tent locked in their spare room was a home gym is facing jail.

Leszek Gapski told police he was sold the equipment to construct the massive cultivation at a car-boot sale and that he was going to simply throw the huge haul of cannabis “into the river”.

But he admitted growing the class-b drug and being concerned in its supply from his home in Brechin over the course of two months last year.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard police raided Gapski’s home while he was at work in June last year but found only his partner and their three-year-old son at home.

They then found Gapski driving in his Audi car nearby.

When they pulled him over he said the plantation had “nothing to do” with his girlfriend.

He said he had told her the locked bedroom contained a gym set-up rather than a cannabis farm.

“He said he had learned to set up the equipment by reading a book and watching internet videos

Depute fiscal Nicola Gillespie said 38 fully grown plants were found as well as a wealth of cultivation equipment including fans, dehumidifers and lighting units.

She said: “During interview he said he had purchased all the equipment for £300 from a car-boot sale.

“He denied being involved in the distribution of cannabis.

“He said he had learned how to set up all the equipment by reading a book and watching videos on the internet.

“Asked about his intentions he said he was scared because it started to smell and he wanted to get rid of it.

“He said he would have thrown it in the river.

“He said it was purely coincidental that three bags of cannabis were found, each weighing 28 grammes – a known dealer weight.

“Regarding the cash found at his property he said he regularly carried bundles of cash and said he was saving up for flights to Poland in the summer.”

Gapski, 33, now of John Street, Arbroath, pleaded guilty on indictment to producing and being concerned in the supply of cannabis between April 1 and June 1 last year at an address in Trinity Road, Brechin.

Defence solicitor Sarah Russo said: “He is 33 years old and is working fulltime to support his partner and their young son.

“He has no previous convictions.” Sheriff Alastair Carmichael deferred sentence until next month for social work background reports and released Gapski on bail.

Sentence has been deferred on Leszek Gapski until next month.