ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ‘BROKE THE LAW TO PAY £16,000

A THRIVING £95,000 cannabis factory was discovered by chance when police officers called at a house about something else.

They seized 199 plants from three bedrooms, the attic and bathroom of a property in Wicklow Drive, Rowlatts Hill, Leicester.

Luc Chignell, prosecuting, told the city’s crown court officers called at the address on “an unrelated matter” and discovered it was filled with illegal plants.

Inside the rental property was 29-year-old Bledar Rustemi, who had been smuggled into the UK in the back of a lorry. He admitted being concerned in the production of cannabis and was jailed for 20 months.

Rustemi was said to have been recruited by those who brought him into the country illegally.

He was told he owed the people smugglers £16,000 in travel fees, to be paid within one month.

Sentencing, Judge Martin Hurst said: “You came here in the back of a lorry on the promise of legitimate work.

“You started that work but were then persuaded or coerced into looking after this cannabis grow. The police went to search the property on another matter and found 199 plants in various stages of growth.

“It was a reasonably sophisticated set up with an estimated yield in the order of 10 kilograms with a wholesale value of £35,000 and a street value of about £95,000.

“You were candid when you were interviewed and explained how you got involved.

“You expected to receive £8,000 for your involvement, in