There were 126 cannabis plants and growing equipment had been set up
Police raided a house and found a secret cannabis factory where a large-scale and potentially highly lucrative operation had been set up to grow 126 plants with a likely “very significant yield”. The man who was looking after the cannabis plants had already been jailed on an earlier occasion for a similar cannabis growing enterprise and he had brazenly ignored a deportation order by entering this country illegally again just a week before the operation was discovered, Hull Crown Court heard.
Paulius Juknys, 26, of Boulevard, west Hull, but recently in custody on remand, admitted being concerned in producing cannabis on June 27 and entering the UK in breach of a deportation order on June 20. The order had been made under the Immigration Act on April 14 last year.
The court heard that Juknys had been jailed at Hull Crown Court in January last year for four-and-a-half years for producing cannabis and possessing about £15,000 cash as criminal property. He had pleaded guilty on the day of a scheduled trial.
He was deported in April last year but he tried to enter this country illegally in August last year. He was refused entry, arrested and sent back but he entered the country in breach of a deportation order on June 20 this year – in a bus.
Juknys was found at the house in Boulevard on June 27. There were 126 cannabis plants and growing equipment had been set up. The electricity had been bypassed, the court heard.
Maya Hanson, mitigating, said that Juknys knew that what he did was wrong and he was remorseful for his behaviour. He pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and he claimed that he wanted to go back to Lithuania.
Judge John Thackray KC told Juknys: “You were once again involved in the production of a Class B drug that causes misery in our communities. They destroy lives. On this occasion, you were the only person in the house and there were 126 plants, which would, no doubt, have involved a very significant yield.
“The electricity had been bypassed and there was sophisticated equipment. You were aware of the size of the operation and played a significant role.
“You entered the UK in breach of a deportation order. The offence is serious. You were undermining the legislation dealing with those who legally enter the UK. There must be a consecutive sentence.”
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Juknys was jailed for four years. The sentence included a consecutive eight months for breaching the deportation order.
Officer in the case, Detective Constable Mike Simpson from the Criminal Investigation Team, said: “Drug crime causes significant harm to our communities, and we remain committed to identifying and disrupting those involved in the production and distribution of illegal substances.
“Thanks to the proactive work and swift action of our teams, a substantial quantity of drugs has been removed from circulation in our communities.
“I hope that this serves as a clear warning to anyone else thinking that they can get around the criminal justice system. We will do everything in our power to bring you before the courts.”