Trio warned they face jail over ‘sophisticated’ drugs factory

Trio warned they face jail over ‘sophisticated’ drugs factory

6 June 2018

THREE people involved in a “sophisticated” drugs factory operation in Comber are facing jail, a judge has warned.

North Lucas (50), of Ballycreely Road, Comber, Sylvia Todd (41), of Ballygowan Road, Comber, and Christopher Cameron (27), of Stratford Gardens, Belfast, appeared for sentencing at Downpatrick Crown Court on Thursday.

All faced charges of cultivating cannabis and possessing the Class B drug with intent to supply. Cameron also faced a second charge of cultivating cannabis at his Belfast address and a charge of possessing cannabis.

The factory was uncovered by police at Todd’s home on January 26 last year.

The court heard police carrying out the search first noticed a smell of cannabis and what appeared to be cannabis leaves drying on the radiator in the hallway. Cannabis plants were then found to be growing in the attic, of approximately 2.25kg in weight.

A shed with its windows blacked out was found to have 100 cannabis plants growing in pots.

The property also contained cannabis growing equipment such as electrical ballasts used to regulate voltage, fans and an irrigation system.

“It was of a sophisticated nature,” a prosecuting lawyer told the court.

As part of the same operation police also searched Cameron’s home where they found three-week old cannabis plants. A small amount of cannabis was also found in his jeans.

When interviewed Cameron denied a connection to the Comber factory, saying he had recently been in that property but only to arrange a birthday party for Todd.

The court also heard that Lucas and Todd, former partners, originally told police they had been threatened by armed men and forced to allow the cannabis factory to operate at Todd’s home, where Lucas also mostly lived.

“Police did not accept this far fetched account,” the prosector said.

The prosecutor went on to say that the total amount of cannabis found, if sold at a high street value of £20 per gram, could have a street value of between £39,200 and £177,600. If sold at £10 per gram it could reach a value of between £19,600 and £58,000.

“This was a professional, sophisticated and expensive set-up,” he said.

The lawyer added that Cameron and Lucas operated as “managers” of the site and that Todd most likely had a lesser role as a facilitator. He also suggested there were other people above them in the drugs chain.

Cameron’s defence barrister stressed the “very small” amount of cannabis found in his bedroom.

“He was trying to hide this from his parents,” he said.

Referring to his link to the Comber factory, the barrister said: “I accept he has lent himself to that operation.

“He regrets his involvement. Cameron is certainly not at the top of the chain. He got involved in something he should not have got involved in. He has no criminal record.”

A lawyer for Lucas said he accepted his role as a co-accused and asked the court to take into account that it had affected his relationship with Todd.

A lawyer for Todd suggested she had felt “under pressure” to take part. “She has no previous convictions at all,” he said.

Reserving judgement, Judge Piers Grant remanded all three in custody, warning them: “It is almost inevitable there will be a significant custodial sentence.”

Judge Grant had reserved judgement until today. However, shortly after sending them to the cells, he brought all three back into the dock.

He said it had been brought to his attention that Lucas allegedly made a “serious threat” to a police officer as he was being led into custody.

He said this would have to be examined ahead of sentencing on a date now to be fixed.

“I am going to require that to be investigated,” he said.