Cannabis farmer locked up for two years after police found over 100 plants growing in house in Harehills

West Yorkshire Police officers executed a search warrant at the property on Bayswater Mount, Harehills, on April 9 this year and made the discovery.

Leeds Crown Court heard Pahan Hien answered the door and let the officers into the house.

The plants were found in the attic which was equipped with a heating and watering system.

The electricity supply to the property had been bypassed.

The potential value of the plants was between £17,00 and £57,000.

Hien was interviewed and admitted entering the UK illegally months earlier.

He told officers he had agreed to look after the plants for other criminals but refused to identify anyone else involved in the illegal operation.

Hien pleaded guilty to producing cannabis.

The court heard he had a previous conviction for producing cannabis in the UK in 2009.

He was deported after serving his sentence for that offence.

Richard Reed, mitigating, said Hien had been willingly trafficked into the UK.

The court was told he had intended to go to Germany from his home in Vietnam but was unable to get into the country due to lockdown restrictions.

Mr Reed said Hien entered the UK through a port in the south of England before being transported to Yorkshire.

The barrister said Hien had hoped to find work in a restaurant or on a construction site.

Sentencing, Judge Andrew Stubbs QC said: "I understand that you came to Europe to try and seek a better life.

"But sadly for you, you returned to your criminal activities.

"That is not a better life for you or this society as a whole.

"Your position is made substantially worse by your previous convictions."