Prem Star's shock after a gang takes over the house and turns it into a cannabis factory

A CRIMINAL gang took over the home of a Premier League star and forced his tenant to let them grow cannabis.

The cuckoo crooks left the female resident surrounded by hundreds of plants.

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But when police raided the house, the player had to prove his innocence to avoid charges.

Police also released the tenant without charge after deciding she had been set up by the gang.

A source told The Sun: “This player owns the house in the North West as part of a buy-to-let empire.

“Another family member manages the property, but they couldn't believe it when police found a large-scale cannabis farm.

“The plants were removed and destroyed and the player had to produce paperwork to prove that while he owned the property, he had someone else living in it.”

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the production and possession of cannabis with intent to supply is a criminal offense that can result in up to 14 years' imprisonment.

Landlords who fail to report suspected illegal activity may be held liable and subject to the same penalty.

Rental income can also be seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The number of cannabis farms operating in homes is growing.

In June, more than 1,000 people were raided, with plants worth £130 million seized and 1,000 suspects arrested.

In criminal trials, individual plants are often assigned a value of £840.

The Council of National Police Chiefs has said: “Organized networks involved in cannabis production are also directly linked to other serious crime, such as the importation of Class A drugs, slavery, violence and exploitation.”