A debt-ridden dad claimed he was forced by London gangsters to look after a £93,000 cannabis cultivation.
Police found 228 plants and bags of herbal cannabis when they raided a house in Larkhall, Lanarkshire.
Edgaras Kurganovas, 35, admitted producing cannabis and being concerned in the supply of the Class B drug.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard police acting on intelligence went to the Ayr Road property in September 2019.
Chloe O'Hara, prosecuting, said: "Entry was forced and the accused was found within. "Police officers found a cannabis cultivation split between the living room and two bedrooms."
The plants were worth up to £80,000 and the officers also seized two kilos of herbal cannabis with a potential value of £13,000.
Ms O'Hara added: "The accused was interviewed and stated he had been paid to reside in the property for the last three months.
"This was due to him having incurred a debt to unidentified individuals from the London area."
Defence agent Roberto Manini said dad of two Kurganovas has since moved to Boston, LIncolnshire, where he lives with his partner.
The lawyer added: "He is fully aware that custody will be uppermost in the court's mind."
Sheriff Andrew McIntyre deferred sentence until next month, telling Kurganovas: "I'll keep an open mind but you should understand that prison is a distinct possibility in a case such as this."
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