Man with £88k Cannabis Farm says he did it to ‘Make Money’

Jhangir Mohammed, aged 41, of Girlington, was jailed for two and a half years after he was caught with an £88,000 cannabis crop at his home.

Bradford Crown Court heard that he had seven plants on the third floor of his Bradford home and up to 100 more in the cellar.

There were also numerous bin bags filled with unused cannabis.

The court heard that Mohammed was a “sole trader” of the cannabis enterprise and that it was valued at £88,628.

He pleaded guilty to the production of cannabis.

In mitigation, Rodney Ferm said Mohammed admitted the offence straight away at the magistrates’ court.

There had been “a substantial and significant delay” in bringing the case to court and he had committed no offences in the more than 18 months since.

Mr Ferm said that father-of-four Mohammed had many family commitments and a lot to lose if he was jailed.

He added that his client had been laid off work during the Covid-19 lockdown and turned to cannabis production during that time.

Mohammed no longer has a cannabis habit and part of the reason for the grow was to make cannabis oil to help a sick relative.

Recorder Simon Jackson QC said police officers attended the address after receiving a 999 call.

At the property, they found a cannabis farm worth more than £88,000.

Shortly after his arrest, Mohammed told officers:

“I’m not a major criminal. I’m just doing it to make some money.”

He was previously jailed in 2004 after being convicted for possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

Recorder Jackson said that was a serious aggravating factor because it showed that Mohammed was familiar with drugs and that had given him the insight to turn to serious criminal behaviour during the lockdown.

He said:

“You were a sole trader, this was your operation with the prospect of substantial sums of money and profit.”

References and letters had been handed into court, speaking well of Mohammed and the help and support he gave to family members.

However, Recorder Jackson said he was guilty of serious criminality and must go straight to prison.

Mohammed was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.