A SNOOKER hall boss who helped to set up a £136,000 cannabis farm has been jailed for 12 months.

Mohammed Quadri, 38, who ran Top Break in Pheastantford Street in Burnley, texted club members with messages like ‘top bud at snooks’, a court heard.

Quadri and his pal Ernest Hoyle set up a cannabis farm at the latter’s home in Halifax Road, Briercliffe, Burnley Crown Court was told at an earlier hearing Police raided an outbuilding at the rural premises in November 2011 and discovered 340 plants at various stages of development.

And a month later the same officers raided the snooker club and found a number of snap bags, containing ‘deals’ of cannabis.

Investigators also found a catalogue on hydroponic growing systems underneath a counter on the club’s reception, and a plastic tub filled with cannabis seeds.

Quadri, of Devonshire Road, Burnley, admitted aiding and abetting the production of cannabis and possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

Judge Simon Newell, sitting at Preston Crown Court, who had adjourned Quadri’s case for further inquiries into the level of his offending, jailed him for a year.

Mr Hoyle, of Halifax Road, who was arrested and charged in connection with the cannabis farm, had died before the case could be resolved, the court heard.

His wife Stacey, also of Halifax Road, who admitted producing cannabis, was given an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with six months probation and 140 hours community service, at a previous hearing.

Her role within the operation was said to be that of a ‘gardener’, tending to the plants under the direction of her late husband.

Quadri claimed he had only supplied cannabis to friends at the snooker club who had ‘chipped in’ to pay for the drugs.