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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Drug lord to payback £1.3 million Matthew Taylor Crewe, Nantwich and Sanbach Guardian Thursday 30 Aug 2012 At a Proceeds of Crime hearing on 21 August 2012, Chester Crown Court heard how Don Han Le, 43, of Elmstead Crescent had been involved in a string of cannabis factories across Crewe. Le is serving a seven year prison sentence for drug production offences. He first came to Crewe Neighbourhood Policing Unit?s attention on August 31 2009, when officers were called to a disturbance at an address in Queen Street. On searching the property , where Don Le was the landlord, officers discovered a cannabis farm. DC Lindsay Woofitt explained: "We were alerted again to another disturbance at an address and came across a cannabis farm similar to the first set up. Again, there was a link to Le. "As the investigation unfolded, detectives discovered more houses belonging to Le, being rented out by Le or being part owned by Le. In total, 18 houses linked him to drug activity." Approximately 4,298 cannabis plants, plus approximately 6 kilos of cannabis ‘skunk’ was seized by police, estimated to have a street value of £694,700. Several of the cannabis factories discovered used illegal immigrants as ‘gardeners?. Some were juveniles who after arrest were dealt with by social services. Adult ‘gardeners? were formally interviewed and a number were convicted for their part in the cultivation of the cannabis. Detectives began to trace the other offenders connected to the drugs ring and were able to gather enough evidence to charge six men, including Don Han Le. Le was charged with conspiring to produce class B controlled drugs and acquiring, using and possessing criminal property. On 24 August 2011 at Chester Crown Court, he was sentenced to 7 years for the first offence and 2 years for the second, with the sentences running concurrently. Cheshire Police?s Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) then commenced an investigation to deprive Le of the profits of the enterprise. He must now pay just over £137,000 to the courts within six months or face a further two years and three months imprisonment. DC Elaine McIver of the FIU said: "This should serve as a warning to others that crime really does not pay. "The confiscation order has been made and although Le does not currently have the assets to pay the full amount of the order, he will owe that sum of money to the courts for the rest of his life until he can repay the full amount. "The Financial Investigation Unit can conduct updated financial checks on people and if assets or the means to pay is identified in the future then Le will be taken back to court." http://www.creweguardian.co.uk/news/9901094.Drug_lord_to_payback___1_3_million/
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