Five on trial over Dutch-style coffee shop

A man who opened an Amsterdam-style coffee shop went on trial charged with drug offences yesterday.

Colin Davies, 44, opened the Dutch Experience café in Stockport, Greater Manchester, last year, saying he would supply cannabis to those who needed the Class B drug for medicinal purposes.

He and four others involved in the coffee shop, in Hooper Street, are on trial at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester. Opening the case for the prosecution, Alan Wolstenholme told the jury that police raided the shop when it opened on 15 September last year. Mr Davies was "in a state of high agitation" when police arrived but later allowed them to search the café and even smoked cannabis in front of officers, he said.

He was arrested and a search of his home at Romney Towers, Stockport, revealed about 90g of cannabis and a large quantity of resealable bags, which could have been used to distribute the drug, Mr Wolstenholme said.

Customs officers at Dover later uncovered packages addressed to Mr Davies containing 4kg of the drug, valued at about £18,000, including more than 400 cannabis cigarettes.

A further raid was carried out at the Dutch Experience and Mr Davies and a number of others were arrested again. Searches on that occasion, in November last year, uncovered £3,000 in cash at Mr Davies's home.

"Colin Davies was in receipt of disability allowance at this time and, therefore, the money must have been derived from his trade in selling cannabis," the court was told.

Mr Davies is charged with seven counts, including possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply, being involved in the importation and supply of cannabis, and permitting premises to be used for the smoking of the drug. Phillip Rainford, 35, Stephen Caveney, 47, and Andrew Young, 32, all of Stockport, face charges concerning the supply of the drug. Robin Wright, 46, of Longsight, is charged with permitting the café to be used for the smoking of cannabis while Mr Davies was in custody. All five deny all the charges. The trial was adjourned until Monday.