Shropshire Star

Cannabis grower told to pay more than £9,000

A man who grew cannabis at his house has been ordered to pay a court £9,145 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

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Mark Long had previously pleaded guilty to one charge of producing cannabis, a class B drug and another of possession at a hearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court on January 20.

Prosecuting at the crown court Ms Lisa Hancox said that after investigation the defendant could not account for £28,288 of personal expenditure which they alleged had been funded through the sale of drugs.

The prosecution said that it had identified £9,145 of assets, including equity in Long's home, that could be seized to repay part of the money.

Mrs Debra White, for Long, said that while the cultivation of cannabis was legally classed as a "lifestyle offence" which could be prosecuted under the Proceeds of Crime Act, Long had always claimed it was just for himself, his partner and his son and that the prosecution was "unjust and disproportionate".

Recorder Nigel Daly said that Long, of Blakemore, Brookside, Telford, had been given the opportunity to account for the legitimate source of his expenditure.

"I don't see how, given he has been given the opportunity to rebut these assumptions, that it can be unjust for those assumptions to apply," said Recorder Daly.

Long was given three months to pay the money or face five months of imprisonment, however his defence indicated they would be seeking an extension to the deadline.

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