Cannabis farmer could be deported after Willington drugs farm raided

Luc Phuc Nguyen, a Vietnamese national, is now starting his second prison sentence for cannabis cultivation, only 18 months after his release from prison.

But a judge said the 51-year-old should now be subject to deportation procedure to return him to his homeland prior to the conclusion of his sentence.

Appearing at a Durham Crown Court on Thursday, Nguyen, who was assisted by a Vietnamese interpreter, admitted producing a class B drug.

Cannabis farmer Luc Phuc Nguyen jailed for the second time for producing a class B drug (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Cainan Lonsdale, prosecuting, said that acting on the suspicions of residents, due to the smell of cannabis, police attended the former pizza shop, in Willington, on March 17.

Officers had to snap off a lock on the front door and use a hammer to smash through plaster board to gain access to the High Street premises.

Mr Lonsdale said it became apparent the defendant was in the property and he was arrested when the officers drew their tasers.

It emerged that Nguyen had been locked into the premises as there were padlocked shutters at the back entrance, albeit food was provided.

198 plants were found in various stages of growth, including 118 in the loft, with their cultivation aided by lighting and fans.

A mobile phone in a box was also recovered by police who also found a well-stocked fridge and cooking facilities in the living area.

Mr Lonsdale said the officers did their best to communicate with Nguyen by using a translation app.

He told them he was brought there in a truck, but could not be certain how long ago, although it may have been about a month.

The defendant also indicated he had been “tricked” by “them” – the people who took him there – and struck in the head.

He said he now just wants to return to Vietnam as he has “no-one” here in the UK.

Mr Lonsdale said expert valuation estimated between £11,000 and £64,000 could be made per yield.

The court heard the defendant has a similar conviction, from January 2024, for which he received a one-year sentence at Teesside Crown Court.

Charlie Thompson, in mitigation, said the defendant was told he was to be taken to a restaurant to work as a cleaner, but then, when he arrived, he was made to water the plants and was, “effectively”, locked into the premises.

He added that the defendant is “clearly a vulnerable person and has been subject to exploitation”.

But the court heard two assessments did not consider him to be the victim of modern-day slavery.

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Passing another one-year prison sentence, Judge Richard Bennett said he did not know why the defendant was not deported after his last conviction but added that he should be, this time.

He also ordered forfeiture and destruction of the seized cannabis plants and paraphernalia.

The judge told Nguyen: “I hope, on this occasion, for your sake and the sake of the public, you are deported on completion of the sentence.”