A MAN whose fingerprints were found on equipment being used to grow cannabis at three separate drug farms has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Lawrence John Laverick, 29, of Dyserth Road, Blacon, Chester, admitted three charges of being concerned in the production of cannabis.

Mold Crown Court heard police discovered three cannabis farms at Tyddyn Ucha Cottage in Black Brook Road, Sychdyn, near Mold at Hitchen’s Farm at Shocklach, near Farndon and inside two caravans at an industrial unit at the Croft Business Park at Carrock Road, Bromborough, Wirral.

In his basis of plea he admitted selling hydroponics systems, knowing the purpose to which they would be put, after his fingerprints were found at all three sites.

Ex-businessman Carl Stephen Baynham, 36, formerly of Tyddyn Ucha, Sychdyn but now of Ellerman Road, Liverpool, the man behind the illegal ventures, has already been jailed for three years for producing cannabis.

Dafydd Roberts, prosecuting, said a year ago police found 95 cannabis plants at Sychdyn, 129 plants at Shocklach and 44 plants at Bromborough. The potential yield was more than £30,000.

Laverick’s fingerprints were found at all three premises and he was arrested in April at Gatwick Airport as he returned from Dubai.

He denied being involved in cannabis production but accepted he had sold equipment to Baynham.

Laverick, formerly of Abergele, said he was a regular cannabis user, he was introduced to Baynham when he was buying hydroponic equipment and he had told him he could get it for him cheaper.

He had started doing gardening work for Baynham and got to know what he was doing with the equipment but he stressed he had not provided all the equipment seized by the police.

Patrick Thompson, defending, said Laverick had limited involvement and his position was less serious than Baynham’s, the man behind the venture.

Laverick was a cannabis user who had made efforts to sort his life out. There was a different side to him.

He helped young people through sport and he had legitimate businesses cutting grass and breeding dogs.