Bradford drugs squad officers today issued a nationwide alert for 11 people wanted in connection with the large-scale production of cannabis.
Police released photos of eight men and three women, all of Vietnamese or Chinese origin, whom they want to trace.

The cannabis factory suspects had all been based in the Bradford district but could now be anywhere in the UK.

Some had been granted bail by the courts after being charged with drugs offences.

Nine of the fugitives are Vietnamese and two Chinese. Their ages range from 18 to 51.

Bradford District Drugs Team is now appealing to the public for help in finding the suspects.

Detective Inspector Neil Benstead, head of the team, said that almost 100 skunk cannabis factories had been discovered and closed down in the district in the last two and a half years.

Det Insp Benstead said: “The majority of people arrested at large-scale cannabis factories in the Bradford district are of Vietnamese and Chinese origin.

“The reason behind this is that these factories are being run by organised crime gangs who have links to Vietnam and China.

This is the picture nationally, with 41 police forces in the country reporting similar arrests.”

Det Insp Benstead said the scale of cannabis cultivation was a major issue for police.

He said: “Suspects move from property to property as gardeners – in addition, some of those wanted are believed to be the organisers of several factories.

“These people can expect lengthy prison sentences – anywhere from nine months to ten years.

“Local police are still active in not only making efforts to trace these suspects but also in discovering new factories.”

He said large scale cannabis factories made a lot of money for the people behind them, but the Mr Bigs could not operate without the ‘gardeners.’ Six of the 11 suspects are wanted for bail offences or failing to appear at court, as well as cannabis production.

Three of the Vietnamese, Gai Luc, 40, of Commercial Street, Shipley, Tien Anh Dao, 33, and 46-year-old Qiu Yeu, were due to go on trial at Bradford Crown Court last month in connection with a £90,000 haul of skunk cannabis found at a house in Allerton Road, Bradford, but they failed to appear.

A fourth person, Ying Huang, 33, of Fernhill Mount, Shipley, pleaded guilty in April to being concerned in the production of cannabis, and was jailed for 130 days and deported.

Another Vietnamese gardener, Trong Vu, 30, was jailed for 21 months last month after admitting being paid £1,200 to harvest six kilos of cannabis at a house in Park View Road, Heaton. More than 1,000 plants, which could have produced cannabis valued at almost £185,000, were found.

This year alone more than 50 cannabis factories have been found in the Bradford area and over 200 across West Yorkshire.

The West Yorkshire Police helicopter’s infra-red ‘eye in the sky’ is the latest weapon being used to detect cannabis factories.

PC Dave Jackson, of the Bradford District Drugs Team, said residential properties were being used by organised criminals to cultivate cannabis.

He said: “Usually these properties are rented, and we are encouraging landlords and neighbours to be vigilant. These cannabis factories are elaborate operations and are not something that can be set up and run in a residential street without them coming to local people’s attention.”

He said there were many ways to spot a cannabis factory. Most emit a strong and unusual smell and neighbours may hear a lot of banging as the factory is set up and see people coming and going with bags of fertiliser and compost and other equipment, such as powerful lights.

The curtains are likely to be closed at all times but bright lights may be left on round the clock.

PC Jackson added: “I am particularly appealing to landlords to be aware of what to look for. If the tenant always pays in cash and does not allow you access to the property, then let us check it out.”

Anyone who recognises any of the suspects is asked to contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or the Bradford drug intelligence office on (01274) 376067.

Source

Immigrants and strangers to the City, with no particular ties to the area due to go on trial at Crown Court - fail to appear, well thats a shock!! Why were these people not placed in custody, any right minded person could surely see that there was a risk of flight here. Absolutely crazy.

and these people were given bail!!!

these are serious criminals dealing in drugs to a very significant extent and very possibly involved in violence somewhere along the way---all foreign nationals whether here legally or otherwise yet they are given bail and allowed either to escape elsewhere in the UK or home--one assumes they kept their passports.

Why do we not do as they do In Beijing-- do anything wrong ,get arrested and deported all within 24 hours!!!

All that police effort wasted by the judiciary!!!

Sets a really good warning to others who are doing the same illegal activities. They should have been held in custody until any trial without a doubt. They will probably just now set up in another town or city and do the same.

The overpaid police and the legal system need to look at other countries to see how its done as presently they are a waste of time.