A 34-year-old man has been convicted by a court following the discovery of cannabis cultivation in two houses in Ashford.

Hoai Nam Ly, manager of a nail bar, from Peckham Park Road, Peckham, London, was remanded in custody following his arrest on October 31.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of cannabis production at Ashford magistrates' court. He is now awaiting sentence.

Police discovered the cannabis cultivation after a member of the public reported that a house in Eastry Close, Ashford had blacked out windows and people arrived and left at odd times during the night.

Shortly after the discovery in Eastry Close police raided a second house in Speldhurst Close, also used by the same offender to cultivate cannabis.

More than 600 mature plants have been recovered from both houses. they will now be destroyed.

Police have also seized a large quantity of cash from the man, which is subject to a proceeds of crime seizure. The possibility of seizing the offender’s car and house is also being examined.

DS Mark Smith, of Ashford Police, said: “Thanks to an alert member of the public, police have been able to prevent a large quantity of drugs ending up on the street and arrest the offender.

He added: "We are appealing for more information to help tackle this type of crime.

"We would ask that landlords and neighbours who have suspicions about property, for instance houses which appear unoccupied and have blacked out windows which people visit for short intervals at unconventional times, to tell us about it.

Contact Crimestoppers Hotline anonymously on 0800 555111, or Ashford Police Station on 01233 611055.”