Two men ran a “professional” cannabis cultivation where scores of plants, with an illicit value of up to £30,000, were found, a court has heard.
Jordan McDonald, 30, of Park Terrace, Aberuthven, and Justin Hughes, 49, of Glenniston Farm Cottages, Cardenden, Fife, were involved in a detailed drugs operation at a house in Almondbank which included three separate cultivations, using plastic sheeting, and having heat lamps suspended from the ceiling and with drugs even found in the shed.
Perth Sheriff Court was told that Hughes was the tenant of the property after asking “specifically” for a “secluded, rural” location. The house was said to be bordered by trees and woodland.
Depute fiscal Chris McIntosh said police received information about the property and used a search warrant.
“They arrived at 3.15pm and it became apparent to the officers that there was a strong smell of cannabis,” he said.
“Hughes was found in the property alone and he indicated there were 50 plants within three separate cultivations.”
The court heard that police found a removable doorframe coated with plastic sheeting and also discovered a silver ventilation pipe protruding from it and disappearing in to the loft.
“The officers found digital scales and 24 cannabis plants in three separate rooms, with heatlamps suspended from the ceiling,” Mr McIntosh added.
“In addition, there were standing fans, a ventilation and ducting system and also detected a home-made fuseboard in the shed outside, and digital light frames.
“Police found a further 16 cannabis plants in the property, again with heatlamps, ventilation ducts and plastic sheeting.
“Officers also found a sample tray with 20 infant cannabis plants, and saw six fully grown plants in the house. The operation appeared to be professional so additional officers were called in to help in the search.”
The court heard there were 62 “usable” cannabis plants in total with an illicit value of between £9,920-£29,760, along with 25.9 grammes of herbal cannabis with an illicit value of between £250-£375 and a further 13.3 grammes of herbal cannabis, with an illicit value of £132-£195.
McDonald and Hughes both admitted that between August 19 and October 14, last year, at The Lodge, West Cromwell Park, Almondbank, they produced cannabis a class ‘B’ drug.
Sentence was deferred until October 21 for background reports.