A police valuation of cannabis plants seized during a raid in Kilsyth is being contested in court, with the defence arguing the true worth is significantly lower than the £180,000 claimed by officers.
Raid and Arrest
Suvan Nguyen, 30, appeared from custody at Airdrie Sheriff Court after admitting producing cannabis at a flat in Backbrae Street on February 7 this year. Police recovered 302 plants, of which 185 were deemed mature, with the remainder being small.
Valuation Dispute
Specialist officers from Police Scotland's Stop team estimated the total value between £60,400 and £181,200. Prosecutor Annette Ward told Sheriff Joseph Hughes: "Stop officers provide a standard valuation for cannabis plants. They assess that each plant can produce between one and three ounces of cannabis which they value at between £200 and £600. The same valuation is attributed to each plant regardless of the state of maturity. This is on the basis that there is no reason why smaller plants would not reach full maturity. The Crown says there is no reason to stray from that valuation in this particular case."
However, defence lawyer Jim Sloan challenged the estimate, stating: "There is a difficulty in the valuation of the drugs in question. I have a report from a drugs expert who values the plants at between £30,000 and £45,000 so there is a real difference here, a wide gap."
Impact on Sentencing
Mr Sloan expressed concern because guidelines indicate that the value of a cannabis crop is a factor considered during sentencing. Sheriff Hughes adjourned the case for four weeks to allow the Crown to review the defence report. If no agreement is reached, expert witnesses from both sides may be called to give evidence.
Meanwhile, Nguyen remains on remand at HMP Barlinnie.
