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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Cannabis Equipment Trio are Warned they Could be Jailed
Sarah Whelan Derby Telegraph
Saturday 03 Nov 2007 Cannabis Equipment Trio are Warned they Could be Jailed. Three men who sold equipment to help cannabis growers produce the drug are facing prison sentences. Paul Fenwick and David Kenning owned Hydroponics Wholesale at Derby Trading Estate, in Stores Road, Derby, where they sold items including cannabis seeds, lamps, anti-detection foil and extraction fans to the trade. Fenwick, 45, now of Leicestershire, also owned The Hydroponics Centre, which operated out of the same unit and was selling the same items to the public. It is not illegal to sell the equipment, but Fenwick and employee Paul Blackshaw, 32, were filmed in March last year giving undercover police officers advice on how to grow the drug. The trio were yesterday found guilty of conspiring to aid and abet the production of cannabis. Fenwick and Blackshaw were also found guilty of conspiring to counsel the production of cannabis. Kenning, 36, was found not guilty of that charge. Fenwick was also found guilty of producing cannabis with intent to supply. Police found 624g of the drug at his home in Carlton Road, Derby, where he was then living. After yesterday's verdict, Detective Constable Kevin McGonigle said this sort of case was rare. He said: "Cases like this are few and far between. Many have viewed this as a test case. It is an offence to cultivate, possess, use and supply cannabis. Equally those who assist people in this are guilty of an offence. "The hydroponics centre clearly crossed the line." Det Con McGonigle added: "Many of the items these men were selling had legitimate uses, but they were giving advice on how to avoid detection as well as on growing the drug." All three men denied the charges, saying books were readily available on how to grow cannabis and they had only answered questions put to them by the officers. During the trial, Fenwick told the jury the drugs he produced were for his own personal use. Judge David Price gave the three men bail but warned them they could face prison terms. He said: "I am granting bail to the three of you, but don't read into that. I have in mind a custodial sentence." Fenwick, Kenning, of Wymeswold, Loughborough, and Blackshaw, of Barley Close, Little Eaton, will be sentenced on November 23. http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk
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