PCs Andy Naylor and Warren Witt told how they were involved in the search of The Lodge in Crossbank Road, which had been converted for extensive illegal production of the drug, in July, 2006.

Equipment capable of producing cannabis worth £56,000 a year was discovered in the bungalow. And the find triggered a chain of events which led police to similar operations in Norwich and London, the court heard.

Before the court are Agieng Nung (51), Luan Van Phan (42) and Ms Thi Cam Van Vu (32), all from Wymondham, Mai Anh Trinh (21), of London, and Hoang Hoi Dao (53), of no fixed address.

Mr Dao and Ms Trinh are accused of obtaining a money transfer by deception in connection with buying The Lodge. Ms Trinh is also charged with being concerned in the unlawful production of cannabis by another.

Mr Phan is accused of obtaining a money transfer by deception to buy another property in West Norfolk, The Laurels in Ferry Road, West Lynn. Mr Nung and Mr Dao face similar charges involving properties in Norwich and London.

They deny the charges and all five defendants have also pleaded not guilty to conspiring to produce cannabis, conspiring to launder the proceeds of crime and conspiring to launder criminal property.

Yesterday, prosecution witness Mr Ben Sin, a London-based mortgage and insurance introducer, gave evidence about his involvement in trying to get Ms Trinh a mortgage on The Lodge when it was up for sale at £170,000.

He confirmed that on the application form, Ms Trinh, who was 18 at the time, was described as a beautician with an income of £40,000. He said the discussions were conducted in Cantonese through Mrs Dao, who said Ms Trinh was her niece, as the defendant only spoke in Vietnamese.

The case continues.