Three men have been jailed for their involvement in a “sophisticated” cannabis factory capable of producing drugs worth up to £2.8m.
In a recent verdict at Bradford Crown Court, Ronaldo Pasha, Bledar Zeqo, and Elvis Shira, all Albanian nationals who entered the UK illegally, were sentenced to three years and nine months in jail.
The trio pleaded guilty to charges of cannabis production after being found cultivating cannabis plants at a disused mill in Halifax.
Illegal Activities Unveiled
The defendants were caught in the act by a police drone, which spotted them using ladders to access the disused Carlton Works site via a glass roof. Upon their discovery, they attempted to flee down a fire escape but were apprehended by law enforcement.
Sophisticated Cannabis Cultivation
Upon investigation, authorities discovered 18 growing rooms within the mill, each equipped with extensive cultivation equipment.
More than 5,000 cannabis plants were found on the premises, capable of producing an estimated 280kg of cannabis. The street value of the haul was estimated to be between £2.4m and £2.8m.
Legal Ramifications
While Pasha had prior convictions related to cannabis production, Shira and Zeqo had no previous run-ins with the law.
The court learned that financial pressures, including debts, motivated the involvement of two of the defendants in the illegal operation.
Sentencing
In delivering the sentencing, Recorder Paul Reid emphasized the seriousness of the offense, describing the operation as producing cannabis on an industrial scale.
The trio was ordered to serve their sentences and will face automatic deportation upon completion of their jail terms.
The verdict serves as a reminder of the legal consequences associated with illicit drug cultivation and underscores law enforcement’s commitment to combating such criminal activities.
