Drug farm runners jailed
TWO ALBANIAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BEHIND BARS BUT CROOKS IN CHARGE STILL FREE
TWO Albanian illegal immigrants have been jailed at Nottingham Crown Court for running a cannabis farm.
Sabian Bishaj, 19, and Ramazan Cobaj, 23, both of Nottingham Road in New Basford, were arrested after Nottinghamshire Police were called to a reported disturbance involving around six men on June 13.
Witnesses reported hearing a commotion and later seeing the men leaving a house, followed by an injured man, at around 10.25am.
Officers searched the property and found no-one inside, but discovered evidence which led them to a nearby address.
After entering through a window, police found 330 cannabis plants in eight different growing areas, including the living room, cellars and bedrooms.
Twenty nine vacuum-sealed bags, each containing around a kilogram, were found. In total, the crop could have been worth up to £285,000, police say.
Bishaj and Cobaj were the “gardeners” of the crop, said Katrina Wilson,
prosecuting. Bishaj was sentenced to 14 months and Cobaj was sentenced to 16 months with their guilty pleas taken into account.
Judge Steven Coupland said: “I accept this was not your operation, but by both agreeing to this operation, you’ve effectively protected the criminals running it from being arrested and investigated themselves.
“If this had gone through, a significant quantity of cannabis would be on the streets, along with a significant quantity of cash for criminals.
“Travelling over illegally put yourselves at risk of being diverted into crime as when things go wrong, you are unable to tell the police.
“Both of you were involved in a sophisticated operation to grow cannabis on a commercial scale, and people have to see anyone who takes part in a scheme like this, whatever the reason, is in a very serious position, and if they act in this way to expect prison.”
Cobaj had two mobile phones, one of which kept ringing while police were there.
Ms Wilson said: “Cobaj was told if he looked after the plants, he would not have to pay rent and he did so for a week.”
Bishaj had £207 on him, and Bishaj £79. Both had to forfeit it and pay a surcharge, with a destruction order and forfeiture of all equipment used in the operation.