A CANNABIS 'influencer' and his drug connoisseur' partner ran a cafe brazenly selling imported American 'Cali weed' from a 'highly sophisticated' industrial unit.
Ben Gardner, 36, and his then partner, Zoe Chrysanthou, 31, have both been jailed after the 'commercial' operation in Cheetham Hill was discovered by police.
Manchester Crown Court heard the unit was transformed into the 'Joint Cafe, where members paid a £40 fee to gain access.
As well as using cannabis, members could enjoy a bar serving food and drink and entertainment including pool tables and games consoles.
Gardner, who was said to be a cannabis 'influencer, was involved in promoting the cafe on social media.
Chrysanthou flew out to California to arrange for the importation of Cali weed to be served at the premises.
When police happened upon the cafe, which had almost 1,800 paying members, they discovered about 70 people inside as many tried to flee.
A judge said the cafe was a 'determined and flagrant breach' of drugs laws, 'designed to generate thousands of pounds of profit. "For all intents and purposes, this was a highly sophisticated commercial operation dealing with the sale of cannabis to customers, much in the same way that lawful cafes and bars sell their wares," Judge John Potter said.
Gardner and Chrysanthou's lawyers both appealed for the pair to be spared jail, citing the 'devastating' effect it could have on their five-year-old child.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 17, 2024-Ausgabe von Manchester Evening News.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 17, 2024-Ausgabe von Manchester Evening News.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
I've gone from this kid with a dream to singing for the Pope
SCOTTISH SINGER EMELI SANDÉ REFLECTS ON RECONNECTING WITH HER ROOTS AND TAKING CONTROL OF HER MUSIC THROUGH STARTING HER OWN LABEL.
'Annoyed' Blues boss is 'obsessively' working to halt a dismal run of form
PEP Guardiola is 'annoyed' and 'obsessively' looking for a solution to City's drastic drop in form.
Coe has appetite for change in IOC
LONDON 2012 GURU IS OUT TO REFORM OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
Hospice funding help is welcomed
HOSPICES in England have welcomed a multimillion funding boost but the Government has been accused of “giving with one hand and taking with the other” amid costs caused by a national insurance rise.
Starmer backs Siddiq
SIR Keir Starmer has backed Tulip Siddiq, Downing Street indicated, after the Treasury minister was named in an anti-corruption investigation in Bangladesh.
'Uncertainty' is cause of rate freeze
THE Bank of England has held interest rates at 4.75% due to “heightened uncertainty in the economy” following the UK Budget and US presidential election.
The art of connecting with nature
I will always insist that getting outdoors is the best way to engage with the amazing nature we have in Manchester.
Drug dealer lived high life before arrest
A DRUG dealer who enjoyed luxury holidays in Dubai with his ill-gotten gains was caught out after being stopped in the street by police.
100mph racer killed England youth footballer
A 'BOY racer' who reached speeds of almost 100mph at an unauthorised car meet later struck and killed a budding young footballer.
Charity calls for inquiry into GMP use of Traveller dispersal order
A CHARITY representing Romani Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller communities has brought an official complaint against Greater Manchester Police following the force’s controversial use of a dispersal order.
