Great Bromley couple claim cannabis plants 'for medicinal use'

Brian and Libby Argent, of Furze Lane, Great Bromley, admitted growing the Class B drug at a property, but denied it was a commercial operation.

They argued as a successful businessman, Mr Argent, 56, was able to fund the lighting and equipment needed to grow the plants.

The couple said the cannabis was for personal use to help Mrs Argent, 33, who suffers with chronic ill health.

Appearing at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, the pair admitted production of cannabis on the basis the drugs were for personal use.

Rima Begum, prosecuting, said the Crown would not accept the basis of the plea, instead insisting on the evidence the cannabis was not for personal use.

She said the equipment used to nurture the plants required a “significant outlay” of cash.

A police expert relied upon by the prosecution estimates the plants would yield 2,370g of cannabis buds.

Ms Begum said: “A large amount of cash – some £7,230 – was recovered in the property, also designer clothing and a Rolex watch.”

But the couple’s solicitor Roger Neild said the pair took issue with the “veracity” of the police drug expert’s report, arguing he had “blinkered vision”.

“What Mr and Mrs Argent say is the set-up was not sophisticated,” he said.

“As a successful businessman with three businesses, that’s how Mr Argent was able to set this up.

“It was set up for his wife, who is chronically unwell.”

Mr Neild said as a hard-working and successful man in his late 50s, Mr Argent was “entitled” to have a Rolex watch.

“They have receipts and can prove the provenance of all the items seized by the police, including the cash,” he said.

“As a builder by trade, payments are often in cash and that cash is around until it is banked.”

District Judge Timothy King said another hearing was needed to decide if the cannabis was a commercial operation.

The couple were released on unconditional bail until a hearing at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on August 31.