Builder's cannabis factory was so skilfully hidden it was 'like Narnia'

Police uncovered a cannabis factory that was so cleverly concealed it was "a bit like Narnia."

The builder and property landlord behind the lucrative operation was careful not to leave even a hint of fingerprint, DNA or CCTV evidence. Yet it would have been impossible for him not to know about the 'discreet' cannabis growing operation, even though he claimed to have nothing to do with it, a court heard.

The cannabis factory had a total of 615 plants growing there, with a potential value on the streets of £338,000, Hull Crown Court heard. Majid Mahmood, 47, of Reynoldson Street, west Hull, denied producing cannabis on October 31, 2022 but he was convicted by a jury after a trial in November, reports HullLive.

READ MORE: 'She had an army of friends who adored her. She always left a mark wherever she went. People were just drawn to her'

Prosecutor, Paul Genney told the trial that Mahmood had, at the time, lived in a house in Reynoldson Street for about two years when the matter came to light. He owned an "extensive property" next door, a large industrial storage area. There was a long passageway to a workshops area and outbuildings.

Police executed a search warrant there. "They raided these premises," said Mr Genney. "They started to cut open some metal gates at the side that led into Mahmood's yard and into his house subsequently."

Mahmood appeared and he told the police: "No need to open the gates. I'll open them for you." He was arrested and police went into the workshop area of the industrial part of the premises and found two Albanian men, who spoke no English. They were gardeners, people who lived in those factory premises and looked after and tended a rather large cannabis crop.

They, together with Mahmood, were