Two men caged after £700,000 cannabis farm busted at Cambridgeshire business park
Massive cannabis haul found in Sawtry
Police uncovered a huge cannabis farm worth over £700,000 at Sawtry Business Park, Cambridgeshire. Officers acting on tip-offs raided an industrial unit on November 16, 2024, and discovered 717 cannabis plants alongside all the growing gear needed to fuel a major drug operation.
Two ‘gardeners’ behind the giant cannabis ring locked up
Two men caught red-handed inside the unit were branded ‘gardeners’ for the illegal enterprise. Van Tran, 35, a so-called “professional gardener” with a history of cannabis grows across the country, got a hefty 2 years and 10 months in prison. His accomplice, Thieu Nguyen, 31, bagged 21 months.
- Both men had no fixed address.
- They pleaded guilty to charges related to cannabis production at 1 Crown Court on June 13, 2025.
Part of a sophisticated drug network
Officers believe this farm was just one cog in a bigger criminal machine using industrial sites in rural areas for large-scale drug production. The estimated street value of the seized plants is staggering — more than £700,000.
Police urge public to stay vigilant
“This victory shows how vital public tips and quick neighbourhood officer action are,” said a Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson. “These grows aren’t victimless crimes — they fuel organised crime, exploit the vulnerable, and create serious fire hazards.”
Police warn locals and businesses to watch out for suspicious activity, especially at premises with:
- Blackened or covered windows
- Excessive heat or condensation
- Unusual comings and goings at odd hours
- Strong cannabis smells or buzzing electrical noises
Anyone with info should call 101 or anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
