[420 Girl]

UK - A business has been jailed for finding properties for an organised crime gang to turn into cannabis factories.

Syed Ghalani, pictured, rented five buildings across Stoke-on-Trent, which were used to produce almost £250,000 of cannabis.

The 31-year-old was recruited by the gang, because he needed money after being declared bankrupt.

But Ghalani, of Bathurst Street, Longton, is now behind bars for three years and four months after being caught at some of the buildings by police.

Officers arrested and charged Ghalani after finding:

1,227 plants and 880 seedlings at an industrial unit in Keele Street, Tunstall;

679 plants at a business premises in Pelham Street, Hanley;

400 plants at the Kings Arms, Hill Street, Stoke, before it reopened as a pub;

191 plants at a unit in Commercial Street, Burslem;

115 plants inside a house in Castlefield Street, in Shelton, with another 66 in a van outside.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Ghalani was wanted by the gang, as he was a property landlord who knew Stoke-on-Trent well.

He had paid a woman £50 to rent out the Castlefield Street house, which was turned into a two-storey cannabis factory.

Ghalani rented the Commercial Street and Pelham Street units under a false name.

The court heard Ghalani was arrested and bailed after four of the buildings were raided in June.

But Ghalani was then seen by police at the Keele Street factory in October.

Jennifer Josephs, prosecuting, said: "The Keele Street unit was searched by police on November 12. Officers recovered 1,227 plants and 880 seedlings.

"It was a high-value, commercial venture that was self-sufficient, as the cuttings could be used to re-stock.

"The electricity was illegally set up so power was supplied without paying."

Ghalani admitted being concerned in the production of cannabis on the basis that he secured the properties, and did not grow or sell the drugs.

Balbir Singh, mitigating, said: "The defendant fell into financial difficulties and fell into temptation.

"He's generally a hard-working, kind, gentle and supportive family man."

Sentencing Ghalani, Judge Robert Trevor-Jones said: "You did this with your eyes open – you knew the purpose you were acquiring these premises for."

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