Cops were led straight to a large-scale cannabis cultivation in a property after the house alarm went off.
Eric Hughes house alarm went off in the small hours of September 10, 2018 and when cops attended to ensure everything was order, they discovered three large black growing tents with 78 “well maintained and healthy” cannabis plants.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard yesterday the plants could fetch a staggering £46,000.
A drug expert said the drugs being produced in the Carlibar Road property in Barrhead were for “onward sale and supply as the quantity is excessive for personal use.”
Prosecutor John Penman told the court: “Around 1am on September 10, police were requested to attend Carlibar Road regarding an alarm activation.
“On attending, they observed the storm door open and the door slightly ajar and they entered the property to ensure all was in order.
“While attending upstairs in one bedroom, they observed three large black grow tents and inside was a number of cannabis plants, growing equipment, fans and heating lamps.
“The tents were checked and the rest of the property and it was established no one was in.”
Court heard officers left the property and were met by a neighbour who advised they had spoken with the accused and advised he was on his way.
Mr Penman continued: “Around 1.25am, Hughes arrives at the property and freely stated he lived there alone and the cultivation was his.
“He was arrested and taken to Helen Street where a warrant was sought and obtained.
“Officers attended at the property and conducted a walk-through video, seized items and a sample leaf was taken for analysis.
“During an interview during caution, Hughes made numerous admissions.”
Court heard that drug expert Mark Chevlin was of the opinion that the 78 plants within the property were “well maintained, healthy and capable of producing one to three ounces of usable commodity per plant.”
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Chevlin valued the approximate total value of the plants between £15,000 and £46,000.
Mr Penman added: “A quantity of knotted polythene bags were discovered in the property of various weights with a number being recognised as a half an ounce valued at approximately £110 each.
“The remaining bags were not recognised as deal weights but could be remainders of larger quantities.
“It was the opinion of the drug expert that the cannabis produced would be for onward sale and supply and was excessive for personal use.”
Hughes, 58, admitted to being involved in the production and supply of cannabis, a Class B drug on September 10, 2018 at his home in Barrhead’s Carlibar Road.
Hughes defence lawyer reserved mitigation for the preparation of reports.
Sheriff Tom McCartney said: “I have regard to the gravity of the matter and so I’ll adjourn sentencing for the preparation of reports.”
Hughes will return to court on July 18 for sentencing.
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