Illegal immigrant cleared of cannabis farming (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Illegal immigrant cleared of cannabis farming

12:36pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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AN ILLEGAL immigrant has been cleared of growing a huge cannabis farm after claiming he had never heard of the drug.

Hong Yang, aged 48, was found not guilty of cultivating 267 cannabis plants at a house in Willow Close, Runcorn, at Warrington Crown Court on Friday.

The court heard how the Chinese national, who spoke through an interpreter, was arrested inside the property following a police raid on January 28.

However, after admitting setting up high-powered lighting and tending to the plants, he denied knowing what the plants were or what they were for.

David Ackerley, defending, said: "Mr Yang had no idea what cannabis was and had no intention of growing any form of drug.

"After paying someone to get into the UK, he originally worked in London, but lost his job.

"He was taken to Runcorn and asked to put lights up and tend to plants. He did not know they were drugs. He had never heard of cannabis."

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