A man was found hiding among hundreds of cannabis plants when police raided a house in Bellshill. Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that more than 200 plants, worth around £70,000, were seized from the property in Hamilcomb Road.
Court hearing and identity confusion
A Vietnamese man named as Hai Trung Hoang, aged 35, appeared from custody and admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis. However, there was confusion as the man – through an interpreter – claimed that is not his name and he has a different date of birth.
Calum Frame, prosecuting, said police officers obtained a search warrant and went to the house about 11am on May 1 this year. Mr Frame told the court: “In an upstairs bedroom they found 215 cannabis plants.
“These were at various stages of growth. Some were baby plants and others were more mature.
“The accused was found hiding underneath the plants.
“He was taken to a police station and interviewed but made no reply when charged. The estimated value of the plants seized is £70,000.”
Sentence adjourned
Sheriff Michael Higgins said, given the nature of the charge, he wished to obtain background reports before passing sentence. He told the accused: “I want to have the fullest information about your history.
“This will give the Crown time to investigate what’s been said about your name and date of birth.”
The case was adjourned until September 24 and the accused, who has been in prison since his arrest, was again remanded in custody.
