Drugs factory 'was biggest in UK'

More than 4,000 plants were found at the cannabis factory

A man who admitted growing marijuana at what was thought to be the UK's biggest cannabis factory has been jailed.

Stephen Rochester, 60, of Cliffsend Grove, Ramsgate, Kent, was jailed for four years and nine months after admitting cultivating cannabis.

Det Ch Insp Rob Vinson said the factory in Ramsgate was the biggest in the South East and possibly the country.

Dennis Murphy, 40, of Frazier Street, south London, admitted the same charge and got a nine-month suspended term.

Murphy was also given 120 hours community service at a hearing at Canterbury Crown Court.

We have seen an increase in cannabis factories Det Ch Insp Rob Vinson

The court heard that more than 4,000 plants were found at a 20,000 sq ft warehouse on an industrial estate in the town.

The value of the plants at the factory, which was raided on 8 May 2006, was between £1.9m and £2.5m.

Mr Vinson said the discovery of the factory made "a major dent in the drugs supply in Thanet and possibly in the South East".

"We have seen an increase in cannabis factories and the clear message from today to anyone who gets involved in the cultivation of drugs is 'be prepared to go to prison'."