A 42-year-old Colchester woman was arrested after police who raided a house in the city which had been converted into a cannabis farm found CCTV footage of her at the premises, a court has heard.
Officers who went to the house in King Stephen Road noticed a strong smell of cannabis outside the premises and when they went inside the smell was “overpowering”, Ipswich Crown Court was told.
During a search of the house they found 37 cannabis plants in various stages of growth in three upstairs bedrooms, said Edward Renvoize, prosecuting.
There was a total of 770g of cannabis and officers found a piece of paper with Gabrielle Parradine’s fingerprints on the front and back of it.
Officers also found that a CCTV system had been installed at the premises and when footage was reviewed Parradine could be seen installing a camera outside with a man called Andrew Stewart.
In the days that followed Parradine could be seen visiting the house on a number of occasions, said Mr Renvoize.
Police went to Parradine’s address in September 2019 and while they were waiting for the front door to be opened they could allegedly see her putting two large plastic tubs, which turned out to contain cannabis, into a side room.
“The prosecution suggest she was not only involved in growing cannabis but she also had it in her possession for onward distribution to someone else,” said Mr Renvoize.
Parradine, now of Great Bentley, was arrested and taken to a police station where she declined to answer questions.
Parradine of De Vere Estate, Great Bentley, has denied being involved in the production of cannabis in July 2019 and possessing cannabis with intent to supply in September 2019.
Mr Renvoize, prosecuting, said that Andrew Stewart, 33, of Rangoon Close, Colchester, and Daniel Jones, 38, of Cunningham Close, Colchester, had admitted their involvement in the cannabis production.
The trial continues.
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