The potential street value of the cannabis was up to £96,600
Grzegorz Mlynarczyk, left and Jakub Bilski (Image: Humberside Police )
Police found a secret cannabis factory hidden inside a house where a highly lucrative “ongoing enterprise” could have been worth up to £96,600 in street profits. There was evidence of a successful earlier cannabis crop but a search of the house also revealed that it was a base for cocaine and amphetamine dealing.
Three potentially lethal Samurai swords were also on the premises at the time of the police raid, Hull Crown Court heard. Grzegorz Mlynarczyk, 35, and Jakub Bilski, 28, both of Hull, admitted being concerned in producing cannabis on June 17.
Mlynarczyk also admitted permitting his premises to be used for supplying amphetamine and possessing three Samurai swords as offensive weapons. Bilski also admitted supplying cocaine and possessing amphetamine with intent to supply.
Jazmine Lee, prosecuting, said that police went to a house in Albert Avenue, off Anlaby Road, west Hull, to carry out a drugs search. The house belonged at the time to Mlynarczyk and both he and Bilski were there.
There was a cannabis farm in two rooms on the first floor, with 52 cannabis plants found as well as fans, lighting and hydration systems. There were 40 empty plant pots, with clear evidence of a successful first crop.
The estimated potential street value of the cannabis was between £33,810 and £96,600. “There is clearly an expectation of financial reward for all of the drugs being sold,” said Miss Lee.
A phone was found and messages showed that Bilski was involved in supplying cocaine and amphetamine as well as cannabis. Mlynarczyk allowed his premises to be used.
A large amount of amphetamine, with a street value of £4,490, was found. Three Samurai swords were found in the house. Both men had no previous convictions.
Connor Stuart, mitigating, said that they were serious offences and Mlynarczyk made admissions about his role. “The yield of the cannabis would not have lined the defendant’s pockets,” said Mr Stuart.
“There would have been an expectation of financial reward.” Mlynarczyk had been homeless before moving into the house. “When there was an offer of accommodation, he accepted it,” said Mr Stuart.
Mlynarczyk had lived in this country for seven-and-a-half years and, at the time of the offences, he had a long-standing amphetamine addiction. He was drug-free while in custody on remand.
Oliver Shipley, representing Bilski, said that the offending was entirely out of character. “It stems out of incredible instability at the time,” said Mr Shipley. Bilski’s five-year relationship had finished and he was homeless at the time.
“He was staying at this property occasionally for a four-month period,” said Mr Shipley. “He accepts that he received a direct benefit as a result of his offending, that being a roof over his head.
“That can’t, of course, excuse his behaviour nor justify it. It was opportunistic, taking into account his drug use.” Bilski had been in this country for 10 years. He and Mlynarczyk were helped in court by a Polish interpreter.
Deputy circuit judge Timothy Clayson said: “This was an ongoing enterprise. You clearly knew of the scale of the operation and you enjoyed substantial financial gain, by free accommodation at the very least.”
Mlynarczyk, who was in custody, and Bilski, who had been on bail, were each jailed for two years and nine months.