Arnold man played role in cannabis ‘enterprise’
OLD BANK USED FOR HUGE DRUG FARM
A 25-YEAR-OLD man from Arnold has been found guilty alongside two others for maintaining a huge cannabis farm hidden behind a secret door in a former bank in Grimsby.
Karolis Rusevicius, of Mapperley Plains, had been renovating a flat next door to the old Co-operative bank on the corner of Osborne Street and Garden Street when he became involved in the “enterprise” alongside Evaldas Medelis, 29, and Laimonas Navickas, 31.
A trial overseen by Recorder David Gordon was held at Grimsby Crown Court last week.
Speaking from the witness box, Rusevicius claimed he refused to help Medelis and Navickas when he realised the old bank was being used as a cannabis farm.
But a jury found him guilty after the court heard his fingerprints were discovered on electrical equipment inside the farm, which was found by Humberside Police on May 7 last year.
Police discovered the farm, which consisted of around 80 plants, after intercepting a van which was transporting cannabis.
Prosecutor Michael Greenhalgh said CCTV footage showing the van before it set off also revealed Mr Rusevicius had put diesel in it and bought a new tyre for it – all in cash.
The court also heard a box containing aluminium with Rusevicius’ name and address was also found at the former bank, which Rusevicius tried to explain away as a “delivery of material used to cover furniture when redecorating”.
As well as being found guilty of producing cannabis, Rusevicius had previously pleaded guilty to possession of two bags of the class B drug with intent to supply, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate.
Medelis and Navickas, who were arrested shortly after the raid, admitted their role in what prosecutors described as an “enterprise”.
Representing himself, Mr Rusevicius said it had been a “mistake” and he was just “helping.” He added: “That’s my only crime.” He was arrested four months later in September at his home where officers found a “plan” of a cannabis farm, £10,000 in cash, two bags of cannabis and a “dealer’s list.”
He compared his low-level dealing in Nottinghamshire to a “drop in the sea” next to the enterprise at the former bank in Grimsby.
But jurors saw through his lies and convicted him.
He will be sentenced alongside Medelis and Navickas on December 14.