The case was heard at Maidstone Crown Court

by Keith Hunt

A drugs boss has been jailed for six years for his involvement in running eight cannabis factories.

Quang Dang Nguyen was sentenced along with illegal immigrant Vin Nguyen, Robin Rusha and father-of-four Nicholas Ferris, who were each jailed for two years.

Quang Nguyen, 28, of Lynstead Close, Bexleyheath; Vin Nguyen, 21, of Mortimer Street, Herne Bay; Ferris, 45, of Norton Avenue, Herne Bay; and Rusha, 59, of St Helens, Ryde, Isle of Wight; admitted being concerned in the production of the drug.

Maidstone Crown Court heard cannabis factories were discovered at Higher Shelvin Farm, Wootton, near Dover; Mortimer Street, Herne Bay; and Millstrood Road, Whitstable.

Gary Pons, prosecuting, said others were in Bedford and Leicestershire.

A large barn at Higher Shelvin Farm was raided in August 2009 and 1,143 cannabis plants, with an estimated yield of 72 kilos worth £100,000, were seized.

Mr Pons told Maidstone Crown Court the electricity was bypassed at a cost of about £100,000.

Rusha had been living at a house in Canterbury Road, Whitstable, which was also used for growing cannabis but had since been stripped.

The prosecutor said 699 plants were found growing at Vin Nguyen's address in Herne Bay.

The factory in Millstrood Road, Whitstable, was an industrial unit on three floors.

The estimated yield from plants was about £1.4 million.

Judge Charles Byers, pictured left, told the three: "Make no mistake about it, cannabis is a very dangerous drug. If you watch from where I sit virtually every person who suffers from some form of schizophrenia started life by taking cannabis as a drug.

"It causes misery and depression. It can cause more serious illnesses than that. That is why those who involve themselves in the production of cannabis trade in nothing more than misery.

"When they are caught, they have to be punished appropriately. There has been a marked increase in the number of cannabis farms and factories in this country and this area suffers from it enormously."

Quang Nguyen, he said, was playing a leading role with cannabis farms and factories under his supervision.

"I am satisfied the amount of cannabis you were responsible for comes under the category of industrial proportion."