Trio jailed after fleeing £500,000 "fortified" cannabis factory in Sheffield

Ismail Celiku, Fatjon Plaku and Joni Stani were spotted on the roof as police officers cut their way through the metal doors of a "fortified" industrial unit on Stoke Street, Attercliffe, at 8am, on November 9, 2020, said prosecutor James Baird.

Police had been aware for some time that an Albanian gang had been growing cannabis on an "industrial scale" in the Sheffield area, he added.

The trio eventually came down and were arrested.

Inside officers found 1,276 cannabis plants at different stages of maturity over two floors, with a potential yield of 36 kgs - 107 kgs and an estimated value of £144,000 - £535,000.

A drugs expert said there was evidence of previous grows and the building had been adapted to "maximise production." CCTV was set up, the electricity was bypassed and a large area was set aside to dry the plants.

Plaku and Stani claimed they entered the UK seven days previously in a lorry and were taken to the unit to work as gardeners for £200 per week, Mr Baird added, while Celiku said he was threatened while living in London and received £150 per week.

Joy Merriam, for Plaku, said: "There was some coercion, but it fell short of the legal definition of duress. He said his passport was taken.

"It was significant that police had to cut their way into the premises. It is a sad truth that many young Albaninan men are exploited by their countrymen in this way.”

She questioned if the quantites of cannabis could be categorised as "industrial," but conceded it was "significant and commercial."

Richard Adams said Celiku and Stani arrived illegally in the UK as “economic migrants” and had promised to pay "substantial sums" for their passage.

Celiku wanted to support his poorly mother and Stani to support his wife and two children.

"While these men could have escaped these premises and contacted the authorities the reality is they were too frightened," Mr Adams said.

"Being blunt these are simple men with simple backgrounds who came here on a promise of decorating work.

"The dream they were sold was clearly a lie," he said. "Both men would be very happy to return to their families in Albania, making it clear through me that they will not be so naive in the future."

Celiku, 26, Plaku, 27, and Stani, 36, all of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to cannabis production, on December 9.

Judge David Dixon told them: “The prevalence of Albanian cannabis grows in South Yorkshire is well-known. It is disheartening to see the number of Albanian men who come through this court.

“The message must go out that those who engage themselves in this kind of illegal activity face substantial sentences.”

On Wednesday, he sentenced all three to 30 months in prison. They will serve half before they are released and deported.

Read the latest cases from Sheffield Crown Court here.

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a digital or print subscription to The Star. The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support. We couldn't do it without you. Subscribe here https://bit.ly/2YqMXgK so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.