A CANNABIS cultivator who was found with 86 plants with a street value of about £58,000 told a court he was forced to start a drugs factory in his own home after he fell into debt with a dealer.

Jason Bagalo, 28, was first arrested in April 2019 after police noticed him loading bin bags into a BMW in East Street, Colchester.

Upon investigation, officers noticed a strong smell of cannabis and found the bags contained soil and leaf litter.

Bagalo was arrested and a nearby flat was searched the next day, with officers discovering about 2,500g of skunk cannabis.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard the seized drugs had a street value of about £26,000.

Later that year, in November, police executed a warrant at another address, in Broom Grove, Wivenhoe, finding Bagalo together with 86 cannabis plants in two separate tents.

Shanda McAteer, prosecuting, “When Mr Bagalo was asked whether there was anything at the property he said ‘look, my mate set it up.’ 

“A search of the property showed in one room there was a tent containing 65 cannabis plants, a lighting unit and some fans and a further tent in another room, with 21 plants, a lighting unit, fans and an air humidifier. 

“Water and fertiliser were found in the hallway.” 

Officers also found £1,700 in cash, 10.3g of dried cannabis in a jar and another 7.5g in a plant pot. 

The court heard the plants would have had a street value of £58,000.

In custody, Bagalo said: “I’m worried my life is in danger.”

He admitted charges of possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply and cultivation of a Class B drug.

Brian Stork, mitigating, said Bagalo had fallen into debt with a drug dealer, who had pressured him into cultivating the plants in his home “under serious threat of harm”.

He said Bagalo had since managed to kick his cannabis habit and get his life back on track, moving to his current address in East Cowes, Isle of Wight.

Mr Stork said: “He’s in good employment, he’s not involved with cannabis at all.”

Recorder Simon Mayo QC sentenced Bagalo to 16 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

He must complete 240 hours of unpaid work, a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and a 19-day programme and pay £1,000 in costs.