A self-styled “legitimate businessman”, who supplied growing equipment for a countrywide network of cannabis factories, has been jailed for three years.

Nigel Piper spent three years running a simple transport operation, providing hydroponic growing equipment and seeds to criminals and helping to dispose of waste products from their factories.

The 39-year-old ran two companies - one called Greenfinger Hydroponics, which had a shop in Park Road, Kingston, and specialised in the sale of growing equipment; and another called Safe Seeds that sold cannabis seeds.

He was arrested after police spotted him travelling in an overweight lorry on the M25 near Heathrow in March 2007.

Police discovered more than £100,000 of skunk cannabis hidden among nine tonnes of waste material, which was the residue from a large-scale cannabis factory.

During the trial at Harrow Crown Court, Piper denied being involved in cannabis supply, calling himself a millionaire and legitimate businessman.

The court heard Piper had gone from supplying equipment and transporting waste material to smuggling processed skunk cannabis around the country, with his final delivery destined for London dealers after being produced in Hull.

He ran two companies - one called Greenfinger Hydroponics specialising in the sale of growing equipment; and another called Safe Seeds that sold cannabis seeds.

A jury took slightly more than two hours to find Piper guilty of conspiracy to supply cannabis, and he was sentenced to three years imprisonment on April 12.

Detective Sergeant Lynott from Hillingdon CID said: “Mr Piper played a significant part in an organised criminal enterprise that had been producing and distributing very potent skunk cannabis for some time.

“His conviction for this offence has been a detrimental blow to the criminal organisation he was involved with.

“This sends out a clear message that we are determined to pursue those involved in such crimes and bring them to justice.”