Cheshire drug farm operator who escaped police officers jailed

Charlie Cooper escaped from police officers after he was arrested

A man who ran from police after he was arrested for operating a large cannabis farm has been jailed for five years.

Charlie Cooper, who operated a 149-plant farm, was found with "a large amount of cash" at an address in Cheshire, police said.

The 28-year-old was arrested at the scene, but managed to escape after officers allowed him to get dressed.

The force said he eventually handed himself in due to pressure from officers.

Cooper, of Bruche Heath Gardens, Warrington, was identified after his farm was discovered at a separate address in Widnes in August.

A man was arrested at the scene and his phone revealed he was looking after the plants on behalf of Cooper.

Cooper was arrested after his farm was discovered

Cooper was arrested at his former home on Padgate Lane on 17 March, where officers discovered a safe containing a large amount of cash, along with further cash hidden behind the headboard.

In total police said they recovered £52,640.77.

After his arrests, Cooper was initially calm and compliant, so officers allowed him to get dressed.

However, he subsequently fled the address on foot before later handing himself in.

Cash was found hidden behind a headboard

He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to cannabis cultivation and escaping lawful custody.

PC Debra Jackson said she hoped the sentence would provide reassurance to the local community.

"The negative impact that illegal drugs have on our communities are well known," she said.

"Although Cooper is now behind bars, this is not the end, following his lengthy custodial sentence, we will now look to proceed with a POCA hearing to determine what will happen to the cash seized at his home."