Lairg man admits growing cannabis in Golspie attic with potential value of nearly £400,000
A MAN who has admitted producing cannabis plants with a potential street value of nearly £400,000 at a cottage in Golspie has been remanded pending reports.
Steven Robinson (42) of Main Street, Lairg, admitted producing the Class B drug in a loft at Park Cottage in Sibell Road between June 1, 2013, and February 14, 2014.
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood, at Inverness Sheriff Court today, was told Robinson had money problems and he and his partner had moved out of the property to another property and he allowed the cottage to be used as a cannabis farm.
Depute fiscal Stewart Maciver said a search warrant was exercised by police on February 24, 2015, and photographs showed the living quarters at the cottage were sparsely furnished but the scale of the cannabis production was uncovered when the loft and attic space was searched.
Mr Maciver said there were plants found in five different zones in the attic at various stages of development and experts estimated the most mature plants were six months old.
“Inquiries were made with neighbours of the accused having moved out from the property to be renovated.
“Surprise was expressed that they were able to afford another property because they always seemed to be short of money.”
Mr Maciver said humming noises could be heard coming from the cottage and Robinson was seen coming and going from the property for short periods up to six times a day.
Mobile phones were recovered but nothing of evidential value was contained in these and no other drugs equipment was found on the premises other than the plants and the equipment to grow them.
These ranged from seedlings to plants of six months’ maturity.
A total of 350 seedlings were found in one the zones and had these grown to maturity and been harvested the potential value was between £87,500 and £260,500.
Many other seedlings and more establish plants were found and the total potential value if all the plants reached maturity was between £133,250 and £399,750.
Mr Maciver said at a police interview Robinson told officers he was allowing the property to be used to grow cannabis to pay off debts.
“He was a self-employed handyman but in debt to about £40,000 and his house was about to be repossessed.
“We are not aware of the true identity of those who set up the cannabis farm.”
Duncan Bird, solicitor, said reports would be needed and asked for Robinson to be released on bail.
He said Robinson had a sixteen-year-old son to look after and the accused had mental health issues, suffered from anxiety and had a history of self harming.
He told Sheriff Fleetwood: “It’s a matter you have discretion on. It was an organised operation but he was a small player in it.”
But Sheriff Fleetwood remanded Robinson until August 2 for reports.
He said: “You have pleaded guilty to a sophisticated, well planned and well financed organisation and in my view custody will be foremost in the court’s mind.”
