A wealthy Shropshire restaurant owner who controlled a major cannabis supply operation which produced drugs with a street value of more than £1 million, was today jailed for six years.

Qi Xing Weng of Dale End Court, Ironbridge, was behind one of the region’s biggest cannabis factories in Ward End, Birmingham, where 1,400 plants were found during a police raid in March last year.

Following his arrest in May last year, police found a bin liner containing £170,000 in cash hidden in loft insulation at Weng’s home and a further £23,000 in cash at his Ironbridge restaurant.

Last month the 29-year-old was convicted of conspiring to produce cannabis following a trial held at Birmingham Crown Court.

Sentencing Weng today Judge Elizabeth Fisher said he had been involved in a sophisticated and very extensive operation.

“There is no doubt you were a prime mover. You have been a successful businessman running several restaurants but significant funds were found in your possession and it will be determined later what amount was from your criminal enterprise,” she said.

Weng was also convicted of concealing criminal property and possessing cannabis. A bid to seize Weng’s assets has been launched under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Weng ran Chinese and Thai restaurants, including the Siam Cottage at Ironbridge, and the Tiger Bowl restaurants in Watling Street, Telford, and in Belle Vue Road, Shrewsbury.

Mr Mark Kelly, for Weng, said his client had three young children and his wife was expecting another child in July. He said there had been problems with the business.