£1m BLOW FOR DRUG GROWER
CANNABIS CULTIVATOR JAILED AFTER COPS SNIFF OUT DRUG FARM ON ONE OF CITY’S BUSIEST ROADS
A HAPLESS drug grower is starting a jail sentence for being caught with almost 900 cannabis plants and equipment worth £1m – after police called at a Cardiff house that reeked of marijuana.
Vezir Faqolli, 32, pleaded guilty to producing the Class B drug following the raid in Newport Road in April, where officers also found cash and a machete.
Faqolli, who does not have a fixed address, entered a guilty plea on the basis he was “a gardener” – which was not accepted by the Crown.
Officers found 892 cannabis plants growing and £2,970 in cash at the property, and Faqolli was found with £220 in his pocket.
He was jailed at a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday.
The court heard the dad of two claimed asylum after illegally entering the UK, but then returned to Albania. He then again entered the country illegally on a lorry.
Judge Jeremy Jenkins said: “I suspect the Home Office will take such steps as they consider appropriate to deport you.”
John Lloyd, prosecuting, said one crop at the property had a potential worth of around £350,000, and it could produce three to four crops a year. The charge relates to the period between September 1 last year and April 25 this year.
The Crown said various factors showed he was “more than a gardener”, including Faqolli possessing a passport and an iPhone X, and that he was able to “come and go” from the property.
John Pennington, defending, said Faqolli was “under pressure” to stay at the property.
The court heard there was no evidence Faqolli had any involvement in setting up the “sophisticated” factory. South Wales Police confirmed they seized cannabis and growing equipment thought to be worth around £1m, along with cash and a machete.
A spokeswoman previously said officers in plain clothes were on patrol in Roath, Cardiff, when they were called to a property in Newport Road.
They were met by an overwhelming smell of cannabis and the windows had been covered in plastic.
Equipment associated with cannabis production could be seen through a back window.
The force spokeswoman added: “Inside, officers found around 900 plants growing in seven rooms and several large bags of harvested cannabis.”
Western Power attended to make the property safe and the cannabis factory was dismantled.
Faqolli was joined in the dock by an Albanian interpreter for the sentencing.
Confirmation from Albania of his criminal record had not been received on Thursday, but Faqolli has no previous convictions in the UK. Faqolli was jailed for three years.
He will serve half of his sentence before being released.
A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing to deal with the quantity of cash and cannabis found at the property was listed for September 7.
Mr Jenkins also ordered a victim surcharge to be paid.