A MAN accused of running a string of cannabis factories across Southampton has gone on trial.

Jing Wu, 23, was arrested last November during a series of raids in the city including one in a rented £400,000 waterfront house in Ocean Village.

Jurors heard that Wu had links to four properties connected to cannabis production, including two where plants were found growing. They were in Swaythling, Portswood, Bevois Valley and Ocean Village.

The court heard how Wu's arrest came after neighbours in Alcantara Crescent, Ocean Village, became suspicious of goings on in the property and called the police.

One neighbour, who kept a log of the activity at the address, noted regularly seeing two cars - one a Ford Focus - parked outside and three "eastern Asian" men entering and leaving.

At one point he saw the men unloading large packages from a van, and often heard repeated hammering, drilling and sawing noises coming from inside.

Problems Another neighbour, Richard Crook, who lives next door to the raided terraced house, described arguing with two "oriental" men after experiencing problems with the electricity in his home.

An electrician called by the police later discovered the supply to the rental property had been bypassed.

Prosecutor Louisa Bagley told Portsmouth Crown Court that Wu's fingerprints had been found inside.

Wu, who is Chinese, was arrested at another raided house in Earls Road, Portswood, where he lived with his girlfriend and another male friend.

"Tenancy agreements for all four addresses, documents for the Ford Focus, equipment for cannabis growing and a book on hydroponics were all found at that address," said Miss Bagley.

Wu is in the dock alongside a Vietnamese woman, Mai Vu, 33, of no fixed address, who was arrested during a raid in Mayfield Road, Swaythling.

She denies helping grow plants found there, and told police she was visiting a friend at the time of her arrest.

"Miss Vu stated she had only been in a bedroom and the bathroom, and had no idea about the cannabis factory in the other rooms," said Miss Bagley.

"Later she admitted she was in a relationship with another man arrested, who has already pleaded guilty to his role in the cannabis production, but was unable to account for £1,300 in cash found in their bedroom.

"The Crown say that you can be sure that both of the defendants participated in the production of drugs at Mayfield Road, and that both have knowledge of that production. Furthermore, that on the evidence you shall hear you can be sure that Mr Wu participated in the production of drugs at Alcantara Crescent and had knowledge of the production in this house."

Both defendants deny being concerned with the production of a controlled class C drug.

Proceeding.