Man jailed in South Woodham Ferrers cannabis factory death case
A man who grew cannabis at a factory in Essex where another man was found dead has been jailed for three years.
Thuy Khai Nguyen, 42, was found guilty of cultivating cannabis at the site in South Woodham Ferrers after a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Detectives found the body of Vietnamese farmer Tran Duy Hai, 38, on the warehouse floor following a burglary at the site in December 2010.
Nguyen, of no fixed abode, had claimed he was a cook at the premises.
Police found Mr Hai's body after thieves broke through the roof of the warehouse in Redhills Road and stole about 6,000 cannabis plants, valued at £2m.
It is believed he had entered the UK illegally in or after 2008 and was living in the warehouse at the time of his death, an Essex Police spokesman said.
Detectives believe Mr Hai died when he fell through the roof. A post-mortem examination showed he died from head and back injuries.
A murder investigation was launched alongside a probe into the cannabis production and burglary.
Six men were jailed last month, having admitted burglary and drug supply charges.