Pals caught with huge cannabis grow worth thousands at rented Radcliffe-on-Trent flat

A pair of friends were found growing cannabis which could have made them up to £20,000 in the flat they jointly rented in Radcliffe-on-Trent. Nottingham Crown Court heard how Joseph Quinn and Will Robinson had heat lamps and lighting in two areas at the third floor flat.

Phones seized from them found messages consistent they were selling the class B drug. Wraps of cocaine also found during the police warrant. Handing the duo, both 26, suspended sentences, Judge Mike Auty KC said: “Rest assured and please don’t be lulled into believing for one moment any involvement in cannabis is not serious because it is.

“It is serious because it can lead some users to go on to take class A drugs; it is carcinogenic - meaning it can cause cancer; and particularly because it can lead to the most dreadful mental health issues to some people who use it.”

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Phillip Plant, prosecuting, said police attended the address on November 4, 2022. He said within the property, two areas had been set aside to grow cannabis.

The prosecutor said: “One had more mature plants in it with heat lamps and lighting and the other area was clearly a nursery with around 10 smaller plants. Three amounts of cocaine were also found totalling around 15g.

“The police drugs expert estimated that the value of the cannabis was between £6,700 and £20,000 depending on the yield and how it would have been supplied. Three phones were recovered and on two of them there were references to them having cannabis for sale.”

The defendants were arrested and answered ‘no comment’ to the questions they were asked.”

Quinn, of Malkin Avenue, Radcliffe, and Robinson, of Deans Court, Cotgrave, each pleaded guilty to production of cannabis and possession of cocaine. Neither has any previous convictions of any kind. Matt Hayes, for Robinson, said his client had admitted his crimes, was working and was able to carry out unpaid work.

When the judge indicated he would not be sending either man immediately to prison Benn Robinson, for Quinn, said he had nothing further to add in mitigation.

Judge Auty handed each of the men 12 month jail terms, suspended for two years, with 150 hours unpaid work.