A 39-year-old Vietnamese national charged with growing 375 cannabis plants would have been deported had he not been remanded in custody, a court has heard.
Bui Cuoi Nguyen appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Saturday charged with two counts of growing a trafficable quantity of cannabis, one count of growing a commercial quantity of cannabis and three counts of using a false NSW driver's licence for his own gain.
The most significant charge, cultivating commercial quantities, carries a maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment.
The charges relate to 2015, when it is alleged the man grew the crops for the purpose of sale as part of a drug syndicate.
Nguyen, who needed a Vietnamese interpreter as the court heard he spoke no English, was arrested after he reported his passport missing to police on Friday.
According to court documents, the man's visa expired in June 2015.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges, saying through the interpreter he knew nothing about the alleged drug syndicate.
He was remanded in custody and will reappear before the court on Friday.