Self-taught cannabis grower sentenced

A man who followed online tutorials on how to grow cannabis has been sentenced.

On 31 January, the March Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), carried out a warrant in Wimblington Road, Doddington, where they found 67 cannabis plants worth up to £56,280.

Arnoldas Stasys, 33, and a 19-year-old woman were found inside and arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis, abstracting electricity, and handling stolen goods.

In interview, Stasys admitted teaching himself how to grow the cannabis by following online tutorials and sourced the required equipment online.

He was later charged with production of cannabis which he admitted in court, while the woman was initially released on bail but has since had no further action taken against her.

Stasys, of Wimblington Road, Doddington, appeared at Cambridge Crown Court on Monday (15 April) where he was sentenced to a year in prison, suspended for 18 months.

Detective Constable Bethany Reynolds, who investigated, said: “Regardless of the reason that Stasys was growing the cannabis, he knew that he was committing an offence but chose to continue anyway.

“Tackling issues surrounding drugs continues to be a force priority, and I would like to ask the public to help us in doing so by reporting their concerns and any suspicious activity.”

Information about how to spot the signs of a cannabis factory, along with the option to report concerns, can be found on the force’s dedicated drugs information webpage.