A VIETNAMESE national who illegally entered the UK has admitted his involvement in a cannabis farm above a High Street café.
Phong Nguyen appeared before Ipswich Crown Court on Friday and admitted producing a Class B drug after the factory was found in Colchester.
Police officers discovered a growing operation involving about 500 plants above the Poppins Café and Restaurant on February 1.
Drug paraphernalia from large heat lamps and bulbs to cables were dragged onto High Street before officers produced the vast swathes of cannabis.
Bemused onlookers watched on as the Class B drugs were extraordinarily shredded in plain view via a machine as shoppers strolled past.
Two men were charged with producing the drugs, namely Phong Nguyen, 22, and Tam Nguyen, 26, both of no fixed address, during the raid.
A defence statement read to the court on Friday on behalf of Phong stated he was told he could access the UK illegally at a cost of £5,000.
The court heard he was later approached by an individual in London and offered £300 a month to water the plants at the High Street cannabis factory.
The pair will return to court for sentencing on July 7.
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