South Yorkshire cannabis farmer was paid £1,500 a month
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Police discovered 44 cannabis plants and 84 saplings when they raided a property on Westview Road, Rotherham, on July 1.
Albanian national Florian Kellici told officers he was paid £1,500 per month and received free accommodation.
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Hide AdProsecutor Louise Gallagher said. "He had full responsibility for that crop and its success."
"There was another property on the same street where cannabis was being grown in similar quantities," said Judge Roger Thomas QC. "It may have been that the two properties were part of one operation."
Kellici said he came to the UK as an illegal immigrant two and a half years ago, Sheffield Crown Court heard on Friday.
Clakson Baptiste, mitigating, argued Kellici had a "limited role" as a gardener, "regardless of how much he was renumerated."
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Hide Ad"He has no influence on those above him in the chain and the number of plants and the amount he was paid doesnt change that fact.
"He saw an opportunity to make some money."
Kellici, 37, of Westview Road, Rotherham, pleaded guilty to cannabis production when he appeared at the magistrates court on July 3.
Judge Thomas told him: "You pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. It's clear from what this court knows about this sort of case that this was substantial, proffessional crime for significant profit. I presume this sentence will bring about your removal from the UK."
Kellici was sentenced to 12 months.