Man thought cannabis plants were a herb

2:02pm Friday 4th July 2008

A MAN caught living in a house which had been transformed into a cannabis farm thought the plants were a herb he had seen in the mountains of his native China.

Pei Liu made the claim when he appeared at Bolton Crown Court yesterday charged with producing a controlled drug.

He was arrested when police raided a detached house in Angel Bank, Horwich, and discovered 339 plants and a sophisticated hydroponic setup.

Liu, aged 44, who denies the charge, told the court through a translator: "The plants look similar to plants which grow in my home town on the mountains.

"They are a wild herbal remedy which people use them to ease muscle pain. I have never heard of cannabis.

"I was not suspicious that it was illegal. If I was I would probably not be in this position."

The court heard that police officers broke into the four-bedroom detached property on March 3 and discovered a sophisticated cannabis farm, which was being tended to by Liu.

There was lighting in each room, reflective strips on the walls and a ventilation system to get rid of the fumes.

The electricity supply had also been tampered with and all the curtains were closed.

Liu said he did not have any involvement in setting up the cannabis farm, but he did water the plants for three weeks.

He told the court that after arriving in the country, he went to China Town in Manchester in February hoping to find a job.

He said he was approached by a man called Xiao Yu, who offered him free accommodation and food, as well as £180 a week to water some flowers.

Liu went to Mr Yu's house for a couple of days, before being taken to the house in Horwich.

He told the court he was not given the money he was promised and that he was beaten up by Mr Yu after he let people into the house.

He added: "They found a stupid person for them to do the job. They regularly swore at me and told me I was stupid."

Proceeding

Olympic silver medal for Jason