Two young Vietnamese men caught growing cannabis in a house in Derbyshire earlier this year face possible deportation from the United Kingdom after serving terms in custody.
Thai Vo, 19, and his 21-year-old compatriot Thai Nguyen were arrested at a home in Springfield Garden, Derbyshire, on March 10, The Derby Telegraph reported.
Prosecutor Steven Taylor said the cannabis had a value of between 50,000 and 80,000 English pounds (US$65,634 to $105,014).
The two defendants pleaded guilty to the charges.
Jonathan Hullis, defending lawyer for Vo, said his client was vulnerable to exploitation because he was an illegal immigrant and had zero connections in the country.
Meanwhile, Nguyen’s lawyer Roger Wilson told the Derby Crown Court that his client was on an expired student visa and had no financial means to return to his homeland.
Wilson said his client was only at the scene for hours and identified the man who led him to the house.
Vo was sentenced to 26 months in jail, while Nguyen was given six months in a juvenile institution.
Presiding judge Jonathan Bennet told Vo there was evidence of Nguyen going to nightclubs despite his claim of never leaving the property. He also said the case for Nguyen was not the same due to his short stay and involvement with the criminal activity.
Judge Bennett said the Home Office would decide whether the pair should be deported after their release from prison.
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