Man ordered to pay £85,000 or face 18 months in jail after growing cannabis in Forncett St Peter

A south Norfolk man has been ordered to pay £85,000 within 12 weeks or face 18 months in prison following a police investigation in his financial gains through cannabis cultivation.

Trevor Palmer, 52, of Tabernacle Lane, Forncett St Peter, was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court in March 2023 for production of a controlled class B drug (cannabis) and the possession of criminal property. He received a two-year jail sentence, suspended for two years.

Following the court hearing, a joint investigation between detectives from Norfolk Constabulary and financial investigators from Eastern Region Special Operations (ERSOU) was launched into Palmer’s financial standing.

A Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing on 28 February 2024 then ordered Palmer to pay £85,000 within 12 weeks or face 18 months in prison.

The term ‘proceeds of crime’ describes the money or assets gained by suspects as a result of their criminal activity. An investigation into these proceeds ensures the profits gained by criminals are confiscated, helping to prevent further offences.

During the POCA investigation, detectives and ERSOU discovered the energy usage at Palmer’s property was five times the amount usually expected for a family home, despite Palmer being the only occupant of the property.

It was estimated, based on this energy usage, Palmer had been growing cannabis for over two years, resulting in approximately £70,000 worth of plants being cultivated.

Paul Fitzsimmons, ERSOU senior financial investigator manager, said: “Palmer will now be made to pay for his actions, highlighting that crime does not pay.

“His lifestyle was the result of his criminal activities, and by utilizing POCA legislation to seize profits, we endeavour to break the cycle of criminality.’’