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Cannabis farmer grew 100 plants at Ayr go-karting centre


A man who set up a large cannabis farm at the go-kart complex where he worked has been jailed.


Paul Costa, 35, was caught after police uncovered the hidden drugs factory when they raided Emotion Karting in Ayr in February 2015.

Officers discovered more than 100 cannabis plants said to have a value of up to £100,000.

Costa was sentenced to four and a half years in prison on Friday having earlier been convicted of being concerned in the supply of cannabis between 2013 and 2015.

The trial heard the Falkirk man was effectively "second in command" at the karting centre.

His fingerprints were discovered in a farm area and forensic officers found searches for cannabis growing and drying tips in his internet history.

Costa had claimed he discovered the cannabis farm after hearing a mysterious "humming" at the complex.

He said he held off calling the police as he told the jury: "I thought I could find out who was doing it. I had an intention to put a camera in."

Prosecutor Bill McVicar put to him: "All that was being grown was in your charge.

"There may have been others involved, but you are the gardener."

Manoj Deo, 38, who had been in charge of Emotion Karting, faced the same allegations but prosecutors dropped the charges.


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