Archive - Friday, 11 May 2007


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Cannabis 'gardener' sent to jail

A JUDGE yesterday warned Vietnamese people to get out of the cannabis factory culture in Oxford.

Judge Peter Fingret issued his warning at Oxford Crown Court as he jailed 28-year-old Vietnamese national Tien Phoung for three years for acting as a 'gardener' at a cannabis factory in Meadow Lane, Iffley.

The judge said he did not accept Phoung's claim he was unaware what he was doing was illegal. He told him: "You must have known it was illegal to cultivate or produce cannabis. It should be made clear to members of the Vietnamese community and anyone else who is tempted to get involved, that lengthy prison sentences will follow conviction for such offences."

Tony McGeorge, proescuting, said Phoung, of Dalston Lane, London, was arrested with another man on January 14 after neighbours called the police, reporting a strange smell from the house.

Lucy Tapper, defending, said Phuong had been "preyed upon" by those running the operation.

Phuong will be recommended for deportation after serving his sentence.'