The son of a former Albanian police officer has been jailed after police raided a former mill complex in Brighouse and discovered an industrial scale cannabis grow.

Bradford Crown Court heard today (Wed) how police officers executed a search warrant at the Brooksmouth Mills premises earlier this month and discovered that 1,339 cannabis plants were being cultivated in a sophisticated and highly profitable operation.

Prosecutor David Ward said several buildings had been specifically converted for growing cannabis and thousands of pounds had been spent on equipment and paraphernalia.

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“On entering the complex of buildings they found an industrial scale cannabis production operation,” said Mr Ward. He said there was a bedroom in the complex with CCTV cameras for security.

Clyde Toli, the 27-year-old son of a retired police officer, and his co-accused Fabian Xhika, 26, were both arrested at the scene and today (March 27) they were each jailed for 20 months after they admitted a production of cannabis charge.

Barrister William Staunton, for both men, said although a hydroponic system and lighting was installed for the plants it was not the same for his clients. “Both defendants describe themselves being kept literally in the dark,” he said.

“One described not having seen the light of day for approximately four weeks before the police attended.”

Mr Staunton referred to a tiny cramped space with a “rudimentary” bed where the men slept and submitted that they had both been “duped” by others into being taken to the premises.

“When they arrived and noticed what the reality of the situation was they were told it would be a problem if they were to leave,” said Mr Staunton.

Judge Sophie McKone said both men had a choice to leave when they were taken to the grow, but they didn’t. “Having read the statements and seen the photographs it is obvious this was a large sophisticated grow capable of producing industrial quantities of cannabis,” she told the defendants.

Judge McKone while they may not have profited from the huge amount of money involved they had played an important part in the production of a dangerous drug.

Both men now face deportation back to Albanian after serving part of their prison sentences.

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