SIX Vietnamese women and men have appeared in the dock accused of having roles in what prosecutors have described as a family network involved in the production of cannabis and assisting illegal immigration.

Preston Crown Court heard the charges of the four women and two men related to raids on nail bars in Blackburn and Bolton, as well as houses in Darwen and Greater Manchester on December 10.

They were Posh Nails, one in The Mall and one on in Higher Church Street, both Blackburn; Miss Nails, which is located in Blackburn Morrisons; and Diamond Nails in Blackburn Road, Bolton.

The investigation also focuses around cannabis farms found in properties in Turton, Barrow in the Ribble Valley, Tottington and Walsall, with up to 1,000 cannabis plants seized.

Thuy Thi Nguyen, 54, of Harwood Street, Darwen, is charged with conspiring to produce cannabis and an immigration offence.

Van Winh Dang, 48, of Harwood Street, Darwen, is charged with conspiring to produce cannabis, four counts of providing accommodation which facilitated the commission of a breach of immigration law, and possessing or controlling an identity document that was false.

Hoqa Oa Dong, 24, of Sunnymere Drive, Darwen, is charged with conspiring to produce cannabis.

Cam Thi Ho, 29, of of Sunnymere Drive, Darwen, is charged with conspiring to produce cannabis and providing accommodation which facilitated the commission of a breach of immigration law.

Thi Nguyet Nga Ho, 34, of Harwood Street, Darwen, is charged with conspiring to produce cannabis and four counts of providing accommodation which facilitated the commission of a breach of immigration law, and possessing or controlling an identity document that was false.

Hoai Mai Coffey, 35, of Dormer Street, Bolton, is charged with production of cannabis and providing accommodation which facilitated the commission of a breach of immigration law.

Prosecuting, Paul Brookwell said Nguyen is the mother of Dong and Cam Thi Ho, while Dang is married to Thi Nguyet Nga Ho and is the nephew of Coffey.

The defendants, with the help of interpreters, spoke only to confirm their names, date of births and addresses.

They will return to the same court on March 27 when they will be asked to say whether they are guilty or not guilty of the charges.

A trial date, with an estimate of three weeks, has been listed for June 25.

That will take place at Burnley Crown Court in front of Judge Sara Dodd.

Mr Brookwell said the prosecution would rely on CCTV, mobile phone and documentary evidence.

Judge Mark Brown, The Recorder of Preston, renewed Nguyen’s conditional bail but remanded her co-defendants into custody until their next court appearance.

Speaking following last year’s raids, Det Sgt Stu Peall, of the East Exploitation Team, said: “This is a complex investigation into issues which will clearly be of a concern to the public.

“Lancashire Constabulary takes all forms of criminality seriously and will always strive to protect the most vulnerable in society.

“We welcome community intelligence and would ask that if you are aware of any suspicious activity in your area that you please get in touch.

“Anyone with information or concerns should call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”