A MAN has been jailed following his arrest while tending a domestic cannabis farm, capable of producing “significant” quantities of good grade cannabis for commercial use.

Klodjan Raga was the only person present when police, acting on information received from the public, reporting suspicious activity at the address, visited the house in Rosemount Road, Bishop Auckland, at 11.30am on Saturday June 5.

Durham Crown Court was told the Albanian national was arrested and a search of the premises led to the recovery of 120 cannabis plants being grown in what prosecuting counsel, Paul Rooney, described as, “a very professional operation.”

The electricity meter was bypassed to provide free power supply for the equipment being used to cultivate the cannabis plants.

Raga was searched and two mobile phones were seized from him, while a further phone was found elsewhere in the house.

Mr Rooney said when interviewed the defendant was “selective” as to which questions he answered, but he did say he was paid between £50 and £60 to look after the plants.

A police expert put the potential value of the yield at between £34,000 and £103,000, with the potential for a new crop every 14 weeks.

The 22-year-old defendant, who has no previous convictions recorded in this country, admitted producing a class B drug.

Amrit Jandoo, in mitigation, said: “Your honour will be familiar as to the background of this case.

“The defendant was of limited means in Albania and chose to come to this country for a better life.

“In so doing he amassed a considerable debt, all in the promise of work.

“He accepts his guilt for the role he played in the production of these plants.

“Clearly this was a sophisticated operation and it should be obvious to the court that others were involved in setting it up.

“He had a limited role in the whole operation.

“He’s a relatively young man with no ties in the UK.

“Given his status, it’s likely he’ll be dealt with by other agencies to have him returned to Albania.”

Judge James Adkin said: “What the defendant did was critical to the operation of the farm. He knew how many plants were growing and so it’s a significant role case.

Imposing a 14-month sentence, he told Raga: “Courts need to deter young men from Albania from becoming parts of organised crime groups in the UK to produce vast quantities of cannabis.”

The judge added that at the mid-point of the sentence Raga will be released on licence and face, “inevitable deportation from the UK.”

He also ordered forfeiture of the growing equipment, plants and phones seized in the raid.

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