Dealer caught out as cannabis smell draws police to drug farm

Scott McLuckie, 36, was found by officers after the pungent smell alerted them to investigate on January 31, 2015. They found McLuckie tending to the 21 plants. There was also lighting equipment and a ventilation system in place.

He was warned by Judge Marcus Tregilgas-Davey he is now on his final warning after being nabbed for a third drug-related offence in three years.

Prosecutor Andrew Wilkins told Wolverhampton Crown Court: "He pleaded guilty on May 7, 2015. It has taken this long for him to be sentenced because others were implicated in a case that went to trial.

"He has served a prison sentence for a similar matter."

Judge Tregilgas-Davey said to McLuckie: "The smell of cannabis alerted police to the property. They found a small cannabis farm, with plants being grown using internal lighting and ventilation.

"There were 21 plants with a potential yield of £14,000. You were actually found by the police officers with the plants carrying out work."

McLuckie, from Walsall Road, Willenhall, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce a Class B drug.

Richard Davenport, defending McLuckie, accepted: "He is someone with a fairly chequered history."

Judge Tregilgas-Davey added: "Your position, in my view, is made much worse by the fact you have previous convictions for drug-related sentences and have been to prison.

"In May 2011 you were given a suspended sentence for producing cannabis, and then in August of that year you were sent to jail for another offence of producing the drug. That's three offences in five years.

"You know as well as I do the evil of being involved in this sort of offence.

"People become addicted to the drug, and they want more of it and stronger batches of it, which can then lead to involvement in Class A drugs. When that happens it ruins lives and destroys families.

"That is why being involved in the drug trade is wicked.

"I bear in mind your guilty plea and the fact you submitted it at the earliest opportunity.

"It is clear that your offending is largely in part due to your own drug addiction.

"If you don't seek help now, your life is going to be very difficult. I will give you one final chance."

McLuckie was given an eight-month sentence, suspended for two years. He was also given a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and a 30-day activity requirement.