A MAN who was detained by police during a raid of a cannabis farm in Orford has claimed he was tricked into working at the drugs farm.

Thang Van Bui, of no fixed abode, was arrested by officers on October 10 after a raid was carried out on property on Forster Street.

Hundreds of cannabis plants were seized after they were discovered growing in three rooms of the property.

The 26-year-old pleaded guilty to cannabis cultivation earlier this year but he has denied some of the facts against him.

During a hearing at Chester Crown Court on Monday, prosecuting Jayne Morris revealed how the CPS believed Bui was motivated by financial gain.

The court heard how he had been given two cash instalments – one of £60 and another of £40.

But defending David Rose said the defendant had been duped by an unknown couple who had tricked him into believing he was looking after the house.

In a written statement read out in court Bui said: "I came to the UK from Germany one week before being arrested.

"When I arrived in the UK I met a couple who let me stay with them for a week.

"The couple, who were Vietnamese, gave me £60 two days before I left with a person called Dow.

"The couple told me if I could look after the house and plants I could stay.

"I was took to the house by a person called Dow. 

"When we got to the house Dow told me I had to water the plants as well."

He added: "At first I was not aware but I soon realised they were cannabis." 

The prosecution allege that the evidence suggests he was involved in the cannabis operation.

Bui was remanded in custody until January 8 where the facts of the case will be argued during a trial of issue.