Cannabis grower jailed after running from neighbourhood police

A man who was discovered tending to a large cannabis grow after a community tip-off has been jailed.

Neighbourhood police attended a home in Hillside Road, Radcliffe-on-Trent, on 8 July 2024 after a member of the public provided information a drugs factory was operating inside.

Officers discovered windows in the four-bedroom house were covered with black privacy tape and there was a whirring sound from fans inside.

Forty-three-year-old Vu Dong ran from the house but was pursued by officers who caught up with him in Grantham Road.

When the Rushcliffe South neighbourhood policing team then searched the house they found a total of 452 cannabis plants growing in multiple rooms with an estimated street value of up to £379,000.

Dong, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of a Class B drug.

He was jailed for 16 months when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday (4 September).

Inspector Tim Cuthbert, local area commander for Rushcliffe, said:

“Information from the community is vital in effective neighbourhood policing.

“I’d like to thank the person who tipped us off about this cannabis grow. It allowed us to swiftly put this drugs production factory out of action and prevent further issues and wider criminality in the community.

“This was an extensive grow and worth a lot of money to the criminals behind the enterprise.

“I’d also urge other people to be on the look-out for grows like this.

“The windows were blocked with either tape or thick curtains in an attempt to conceal what was going on inside.

“There was also a persistent sound from fans and smells from the plants. If you notice similar where you live please get in touch.”