A drug cultivation worth an estimated £350,000 was discovered when police staged an evening raid on a flat in the east of Perthshire.
More than 660 cannabis plants, in varying stages of growth, were discovered arrayed over two floors of the property in the centre of Coupar Angus.
Tayside Police found what Perth Sheriff Court heard described as “a large scale cannabis cultivation” featuring sophisticated lighting and ventilation systems.
Also within was Chinese national Yan Ping He (26), an illegal immigrant who had faced deportation by the UK Border Agency as long ago as 2010.
He had effectively been acting as “gardener” for those behind the cannabis farm, looking after the hundreds of plants, which were said to be in excellent condition.
Neighbours became suspicious of regular night-time activity at the flat, with visitors of “Chinese origin” coming and going at odd hours, loading and unloading large boxes.
It’s also understood that a strong smell of cannabis had become increasingly apparent in the area around the flat, which had been leased by an unnamed Chinese man.
Officers eventually swooped on the flat on December 16, accompanied by the flat’s landlord, but were denied entry by He.
Windows to the rear of the property had been blacked out with polythene bags and the smell of cannabis was apparent.
A cordon was swiftly put in place around the flat as officers awaited a search warrant, although Perth Sheriff Court was told the accused was nonetheless spotted a short time later attempting to leave the scene in a taxi.
He was stopped and taken to divisional police headquarters in Perth where a fingerprint check revealed there was an arrest marker against his name from the UK Border Agency.
Depute fiscal Charmaine Cole yesterday told the court: “Officers later entered the property along with scenes of crime officers and together they discovered a large-scale cannabis cultivation.
“It was present throughout the entire property and 663 plants were eventually recovered, in varying stages of maturity. There were a number of young plants and seedlings downstairs and a great many more mature plants on the upper floor.
“Those behind the cultivation had installed sophisticated heating and ventilation apparatus within the property. This was clearly a commercial cultivation.”
He admitted being concerned in the production of cannabis, a Class B drug, at an address in Athole Street, Coupar Angus, between November 16 and December 16 last year.
Sheriff Alistair Brown deferred sentence until April 4 for the preparation of reports and remanded He in custody.
The sheriff said: “This appears to have been a fairly typical cultivation and it is clear that every bit of available space within the property was used to produce cannabis on an industrial scale. A significant custodial sentence is something that I will undoubtedly have to consider.”
It will be up to the UK Border Agency to take further action such as deportation once He is released from any sentence.
Detective Chief Inspector Greig Steele, from Tayside Police, said it was important that the public be vigilant and report any suspicions they have of premises being used for such actions.
“Tell-tale signs can be permanently-covered windows, soil being taken into the house and strong odours coming from the property. Another indication is people coming and going from the address at all hours of the day and night, very often only staying at the house or flat for a short time.
“Cannabis cultivations or drugs factories as they are also known are an inherent danger and present a very real fire risk as electrical supplies are often interfered with and run alongside makeshift irrigation systems.
“Officers would also ask landlords to check the credentials of prospective tenants and to keep a regular check on their properties once they have been let.”
Anyone with suspicions surrounding people or property that might be involved in illegal drugs activities should contact Tayside Police on 101.