A CANNABIS farmer whose £27,000 operation was exposed by police looking for noisy neighbours claims he grew the drugs for his friends – and prosecutors believed him.

Joseph Merry, 22, was only caught because police were searching for someone blasting loud music in the same building.

Instead they uncovered Merry’s grow-operation and thousands of pounds worth of potential drug deals.

At Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week, Merry pleaded guilty to production of cannabis and possession of the drug with intent to supply. He was on bail at the time.

Depute fiscal Sarah Healing said police were carrying out door-to-door enquiries around 8.20pm on August 27 last year responding to reports of excessive noise. When they got to Merry’s flat in West Court’s 10th floor, he answered the door to police who explained they were following up a noise complaint in the area.

But when officers noticed an “overwhelming” smell of cannabis, they asked to go inside where they found a black tent containing 43 cannabis plants. The plants were at the “budding” stage and appeared to be “well attended”. In the living room there were three bags of herbal cannabis totalling 234.46g.

The property was made safe by Scottish Power and Merry made no comment when interviewed by officers.

An analysis of the plants assumed they could yield 1-3oz each and be worth £2-600 per plant.

The total value would be £8,600 to £25,800. The bags of cannabis were worth a maximum of £2,340 on the street.

Ms Healing added: “It was far too much for it to fall into recreational use.”

Sheriff William Gallacher quipped: “Given the quantities that’s no surprise.”

But he questioned why Merry had taken so long to plead guilty during the case.

It was explained forensic reports and those on the potential value of the drugs took until March, and Merry offered to plead guilty the same day the reports finally arrived.

Sheriff Gallacher said it was “a significant production and significant quantity” and it was hard to imagine Merry wouldn’t be jailed for the offence.

Defence solicitor Judith Reid said: “He comes here prepared for that today. He has been on bail since this time and to my knowledge there has been no difficulty.

"[The drugs] would have been supplied to friends who came around to his house. Nothing else was found in the flat suggestion anything more sinister, if I can put it that way.”

Ms Healing added that the Crown accepted the drugs were not for commercial supply.

Sheriff Gallacher said: “I’m bound by that position but I consider it preposterous.”

Turning to Merry, now of Dumbarton Road in Dalmuir, and pointing out the maximum value of £27,000 and the potential harm of cannabis, he said: “Put your affairs in order.”

Sentence was deferred until May 17 to obtain reports.