Five years in jail for man who grew cannabis in 24m underground bunker

An “indentured servant” who worked in an elaborate 24m-long underground bunker for growing cannabis was jailed for five years yesterday.

Garda Padraig Slater said 215 cannabis plants with a potential street value of €172,000 were found in the bunker under a mobile home at Derreenaling, Ballyvourney, Co Cork, in March.

Judge Patrick J Moran imposed a six-year jail term, with the last year suspended, on Adas Backovas, aged 31, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.