Sutton man admits growing £17,000 of cannabis

A Sutton man has pleaded guilty to producing cannabis with an estimated street value of £17,000.

Martin Craig Smith, 48 of Ridge Close pleaded guilty at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to the production of 20 cannabis plants at a flat he had been living in.

Prosecuting, Ruth Snodin said there were ‘hallmarks’ he was concerned in a supply chain of the drug.

The court heard police found the plants were healthy from cuttings and had been grown using specialist lighting and ventilation equipment.

Police described the haul as a ‘well organised grow’

Smith, who represented himself at the court told police he had not thought the plants were illegal and had bought them and the equipment for £1,000.

He said he had them for two weeks and was going to grow them until they flowered for his own personal use.

He had admitted being a cannabis user and said he got through £50 worth of the drug a day.

The court heard Smith and his friends had chipped in together to afford it.

He said he used the drug for personal use and sleeping purposes.

Smith admitted to police he had a small drug debt of £100 but the plants discovered at the flat were his and nobody was making him grow them.

An order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the plants.

Magistrates did not feel their sentencing powers were sufficient for the offence.

Smith was given unconditional bail to attend Nottingham Crown Court for a hearing and sentencing on a date to be decided.

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