'£1m Port Glasgow cannabis farm' accused could be slavery victim, court hears

How Van Hoang was arrested along with a 17-year-old youth — also Vietnamese — after police raided the disused former Plaza/Gala bingo hall in the town last December.

But senior prosecutors are currently actively probing the sinister possibility that Mr Hoang and his teenage co-accused could have been trafficked to Inverclyde by a crime gang.

Procurator fiscal depute Mark Nicol told Greenock Sheriff Court: "Investigations are ongoing in relation to modern day slavery, or indeed human trafficking."

Mr Hoang appeared in the dock from custody to plead not guilty to indictment charges of growing the drug and being concerned in its supply.

An interpreter was not present for the preliminary hearing.

But Mr Hoang's lawyer, Gerry Keenan, said: "I have communicated with him today via Google Translate and he continues to instruct me.

"I do need, plainly, to sit down and go through the case with him.

"I have not seen him since full disclosure [of evidence in the case] was made."

Mr Keenan added: "I have contacted an organisation called Migrant Help in Paisley.

"Should it be established that this man is a victim of modern day slavery then they would accommodate him locally."

Mr Hoang and the 17-year-old were arrested on December 4 last year at the former bingo hall on the Port's Brown Street.

They are also both charged with intentionally bypassing an electricity meter and stealing energy to power the alleged marijuana factory.

The Telegraph told previously how community police beat officers on foot patrol stumbled upon the claimed pot farm.

Officers were unable to say exactly how many alleged cannabis plants were inside.

However, Chief Inspector Paul Cameron estimated the potential value, subject to testing, to be in the region of a million pounds.

Sheriff Joseph Hughes continued matters until April 20 for further enquiries regarding possible modern day slavery to be made.

Mr Van Hoang remains remanded in custody meantime.