Cannabis growers had over 500 plants in Sheffield houses - connected by hole in wall
Immigration officers attended on “an unrelated matter” before being gobsmacked by the gaping hole and weed growing operation
Weed growers knocked a hole between two Sheffield houses - using both buildings to cultivate over 500 cannabis plants, a court heard.
Agim Tafa, aged 54, who lived in one of the properties, was arrested and admitted growing the pot - however Sheffield Crown Court heard he was acting “under the direction” of the crop’s owner.
Neil Coxon, prosecuting, said police found 484 cuttings and mature plants in one house on Ecclesall Road, and - through a “crudely” made hole knocked into Tafa’s adjoining property on side street Marmion Road, another 49 plants.
He described how on August 11 immigration officers attended Marmion Road on “an unrelated matter” before being gobsmacked by the gaping hole and the amount of weed.
Chris Aspinall, defending, said his client had come to the UK from Albania to better himself but had “failed miserably” in that respect.
He would “voluntarily” return to his wife and children in his home country when released, the court heard.
Noting that the grow was “substantial and sophisticated” Recorder Ian Mullarkey jailed Tafa for two years and three months.
Tafa, of Marmion Road, admitted producing cannabis.