Two people have been given suspended prison sentence after a cannabis factory was found at their home in Hatfield.
Vicenzo Piacentini, 36, and Dina Piacentini, 64, of Astwick Avenue, appeared for sentencing at St Albans Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, January 9.
Vicenzo was hit with a 12 month sentence, running concurrently and suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class, acquiring/using/possessing criminal property, and three counts of producing a controlled drug of class B.
He was also ordered to pay £500 in costs and a £156 surcharge, as well as being banned from driving for eight months.
The court sentenced Dina to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years, after she pleaded guilty to permitting production/attempted production on premises of a controlled class B drug. In addition, she was ordered to pay £500 in costs and a £128 surcharge.
On February 24, 2023, officers from Hertsmere Scorpion Team stopped Vincenzo as he was driving along Darkes Lane in Potters Bar.
Inside his vehicle, they found three pizza boxes and a bag of gummy bears, which all smelt of cannabis. This was later identified as a drug named 'Shatter' and cannabis gummy bears.
He was arrested and as a result, his home was searched. When inside, officers located a room that had been converted into a cannabis farm. They also found equipment used for melting down cannabis resin into 'Shatter'.
Dina, who was in the house, was arrested too.
With assistance from the Operational Support Group and the Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, evidence was gathered and the cannabis farm was dismantled.
After a thorough investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service accepted charges against both offenders.
"Cannabis farms pose a huge safety risk to the innocent neighbours living next door, not to mention the impact that the drugs themselves have on the wider community," said PC Devine.
"This case involved the hard work of lots of officers and units across the constabulary; Operation Scorpion, Operational Support Group, Case Investigation Team, Scenes of Crimes Officers, Controlled Drug Liaison Officers, and the File Quality Unit.
"We were all working with the same goal – to keep the public safe. I hope the news of this court result reassures you that we are committed to that goal."
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