A CRIMINAL gang took over the home of a Premier League star and forced his tenant to allow them to grow cannabis.
Fraudsters left the tenant surrounded by hundreds of plants.
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A criminal gang took over the home of a Premier League star and forced his tenant to allow them to grow cannabisCredit: Getty
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Cuckoo scammers left a female tenant surrounded by hundreds of plants Credit: Getty
But when the police raided the home, the player had to prove his innocence to avoid charges.
Police also released a female tenant without charge after deciding she was set up by a gang.
A source told The Sun: “The player owns a house in the North West as part of a buy-to-let empire.
“Another member of the family manages the properties, but they couldn’t believe it when the officers found a large cannabis farm.
“The plants were taken away and destroyed, and the player had to show papers to prove that someone else had lived there while he owned the property.”
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the production and possession of cannabis with intent to supply is an offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Landlords who fail to report suspected illegal activity can be held liable and face the same penalty.
Rental income could also be confiscated under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The number of home-based cannabis farms is on the rise.
In June, more than 1,000 were raided, £130 million worth of plants were seized and 1,000 suspects arrested.
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Individual plants are often valued at £840 in criminal trials.
The National Council of Chief Police Officers said: “Organised networks involved in the production of cannabis are also directly linked to other serious crime such as the importing of Class A drugs, slavery, violence and exploitation.”
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Source: HIS Education