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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Geoffrey Bennett

Cannabis crop found at Montpelier flat after 'dog bite' leads to discovery

A complaint about a dog led to the discovery of cannabis growing in Montpelier.

Housing association staff visited the flat in Sussex Place after a report that the pet bit someone at the property. Staff discovered Lewis Campbell had sub-let it from the tenant and was growing cannabis behind a false wall, Bristol Crown Court heard.

Police called in found Campbell in a car nearby with more drugs. Campbell, 39, of Boiling Wells Lane in Bristol, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis as well as possessing with intent to supply cannabis flowering head, cannabis resin, amphetamine and MDMA.

Read more: Bristol woman admits affray at Kill The Bill disorder

The recorder Mr Richard Smith QC jailed him for three years and three months. Sentencing him yesterday (May 24), he told Campbell: "The address was searched by housing officers.

"Behind a false wall was a cannabis growing area. Police attended and they found you in your vehicle.

"You had taken drugs and flushed some down the toilet. You had scales and mobile phones and this speaks of your involvement in a significant operation."

Campbell was found with £12,381 said to be criminal property. A hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act later will establish any ill-gotten gains and confiscate them.

Rupert Russell, prosecuting, said housing association staff visited the premises, where Campbell let them in. Behind a false wall they discovered six mature cannabis plants, ventilation and lighting.

Mr Russell said: "Mr Campbell was seen to take a package and flush the toilet. He had white powder under his nose."

Police called in found Campbell in a Mercedes car and he said he had white powder under his nose after taking the drug ketamine. Campbell was found with: 3.53kg of cannabis flowering head; 9.6kg of cannabis resin; 2kg of amphetamine; 63.6g of MDMA.

Campbell was also found to have £12,381 in cash, four mobile phones and a "dealer's list". He gave police a prepared statement confirming he had sub-let the flat for three months and he took drugs.

Nicholas Clough, defending, said his client had been living in USA but returned to the UK. Because he had no job he couldn't find accommodation and because he had no accommodation he couldn't find a job.

Mr Clough said his remorseful client had difficulties in supporting himself, became indebted to drug dealers and was told to run drugs from A to B and store some in his car.

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