Man jailed after setting up "significant" cannabis farm at his home (From The Advertiser Series)

Man jailed after setting up "significant" cannabis farm at his home in Stanley

5:34pm Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in News By Bruce Unwin, Chief Reporter (Durham)

A MAN recovering from a workplace injury set up a “significant” cannabis farming operation at his home.

Daniel Keith Foggon grew some of the plants to meet his own needs for the drug, but most of the yield was intended to be sold.

Durham Crown Court heard that police armed with a search warrant visited his home, in Percy Terrace, Stanley, on March 16.

They found 491g of dried cannabis laid out on the living room table or hanging in a rear bedroom, set up as a “drying room”.

A total of 31 cannabis plants were found growing in a cupboard, aided by heat lamps, with timers, extractor fans, fertiliser and other paraphernalia present.

John Gillette, prosecuting, said three “mother” plants, used to help propagate further growths, were found in a front bedroom.

Foggon was arrested and while he admitted it was his house, he largely made no replies to further questioning.

Mr Gillette said a police drugs expert estimated that the dried cannabis would have been the crop from ten plants and may have been for the defendant’s own use.

But the 31 plants in mid-growth would probably have been intended for onward sale.

Mr Gillette said the cannabis recovered from the house could have generated £10,776 if sold in small street deals.

The court heard that Foggon has a previous police caution for growing ten cannabis plants, in March 2009.

Lewis Kerr, mitigating, told the court: “It’s accepted that the majority of the cannabis grown was to be sold, but the amount of actual profit would have been limited, given the not insignificant level of debt he was in, at the time.

“He was in receipt of Jobseekers’ Allowance due to an injury suffered when he was hit by a dumper truck while working at a recycling plant.”

Mr Kerr said the defendant subsequently lost the house as a result of the court proceedings, and is the subject of “demands” from people who loaned him money.

He added that it was accepted cannabis has been his main failing and he has sought help to overcome his own addiction.

Foggon, 30, of Rodham Terrace, Shield Row, Stanley, admitted producing a controlled drug and possession with intent to supply.

Jailing him for nine months, Judge Christopher Prince told Foggon: “You purchased equipment from the internet to set up a significant operation and were on your second crop, with potential for future growths, most of which would have been to sell to others.”

A proceeds of crime confiscation hearing will be held at the court later in the year.