A cannabis farmer has been jailed after police found around £75,000 worth of plants inside a County Durham home.
Fjorelo Rama did a runner from police when they went to an address at The Oval in Ouston on June 20 after British Gas became aware of an "interference" with a meter and notified them. When officers went inside the property, they found an "extremely professional set up" which included almost 240 cannabis plants. Rama, who illegally entered the UK in 2018, was responsible for watering and tending to the plants, Durham Crown Court heard.
The 25-year-old appeared at the court on Wednesday, via link from HMP Hull, to be sentenced for being concerned in the production of cannabis. He pleaded guilty to the charge at the hearing and required an Albanian interpreter throughout proceedings.
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Lewis Kerr, prosecuting, said the farm was discovered after British Gas became aware of an "interference with a meter" and police went to a property at The Oval along with British Gas employees. He said: "When they attended, the defendant made-off on foot but was arrested by officers. When police entered the property 238 cannabis plants were discovered and three rooms had been turned over to the production of cannabis. There were plants at various stages of growth, including mature plants."
Mr Kerr added: "The value of the cannabis was valued at £75,000 with the equipment alone valued at £11,000. On some of the equipment the defendant's finger prints were found." The court heard that Rama was in the country illegally, made no comment in interview and had no previous convictions.
Mark Styles, defending, said: "The defendant entered the country illegally in 2018 and his intention was to gain work and send money home to his mother in Albania. His mother cares for his two older brothers who are disabled. He was living and working in the Kingston area of London for some time." Mr Styles said that Rama was later offered work at the County Durham cannabis farm and that it was already "in situ" when he arrived. He added Rama was promised payment for his work but had never received any money and was "performing a limited function under direction".
Sentencing Rama, of no fixed address, Judge Ray Singh said the farm was an "extremely professional set up" and said individuals like Rama were a "crucial part of the grow process." He said: "No doubt you were aware of the scale of this operation and were expecting some significant financial reward." Rama was jailed for two years with "automatic deportation" potentially taking place when he is released.
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