Lettings sub-contractor jailed for eight years after huge cannabis farm network found

A man who worked as a lettings manager and builder has been jailed in Liverpool for eight years after using his network of 33 properties to set up a cannabis farm that turned over £7 million. For a period of two and a half years beginning in February 2015, 52-year-old Robert Zielinski sub-let the properties off legitimate letting agents and landlords in the city and promised to either find tenants for them or do them up, Zielinski got access to the properties by saying he could find a large supply of tenants from the Polish community and help rent out properties on a large scale. But instead Zielinski (pictured, left), who is from the Toxteth area of Liverpool, began growing cannabis at many of the addresses and, when arrested in July, some 9,500 plants were discovered at the houses with a street value of £7 million. “The growing of cannabis brings dangers to neighbouring properties because cannabis farms pose a very serious fire risk,” says Superintendent Mark Wiggins. “There will generally be a number of hot lamps hooked up to dangerously overloaded electricity sockets as well as an extensive watering system. “Clearly, electricity and water are never a good combination, and…

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