Albanian weed grower caught with 70 plants in South Yorkshire house, court hears
Cela was snared with the grow when bad luck brought police to his door on June 3 in search of a wanted man thought to be at the same address
An Albanian weed grower caught with 70 plants in a South Yorkshire house and jailed for over a year has been told the sentence will mean “automatic deportation”.
Anesti Cela, 28, was snared with the grow when bad luck brought police to his door on June 3 in search of a wanted man thought to be at the same address on Beech Street, Barnsley.
The search that followed unearthed a “box” of cannabis which the court heard had not been quantified - however a council tax reminder for a different address with Cela’s name on on it led police there later.
Sophie Lamb, prosecuting, told Sheffield Crown Court once there officers found the plants in the Parker Street property’s cellar and loft.
Outlining the lead-up to the discovery, Ms Lamb said: “When asked for his identification the defendant was very evasive but eventually he stated he was from Albania and had no immigration status.
“He was conveyed to custody and said he had identity documents on his phone,” Ms Lamb said along with a photo of the tax bill a custody sergeant found an image of dried cannabis.
After seizing Cela’s keys officers used one of them - which he denied any knowledge of - to open the door at the gear grow house.
Cela had just one previous conviction for criminal damage, the court heard. Benjamin Bell, defending, told the court: “It may be that a jail sentence would in effect mean automatic deportation.
“He wishes to return home as soon as possible.”
Judge Thomas Mitchell told Cela: “In reality whatever order is passed today, you’re likely to remain where you are until immigration authorities deal with you.
“I have no doubt that you were significantly involved in producing cannabis.”
Jailing Cela for 16 months, Judge Mitchell said: “I don’t anticipate that you will be released on licence.
“It may well be that the practical sense of this sentence is that you are deported back to Albania.”
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