An Albanian man with no past convictions is behind bars in the UK facing deportation after agreeing to tend a cannabis ‘farm’ in a terraced house in County Durham.

Alehandro Hysa was said to have come to the UK illegally seeking work to help pay off a debt accrued meeting the cost of brain surgery for his sick wife back home in Albania.

Durham Crown Court heard he was arrested when police executed a search warrant at a property in South Street, Spennymoor, at 8.20am on June 12 this year.

He was found in a downstairs hallway and was detained, while £163 he was in possession of, was seized by police.

Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, said officers recovered 161 cannabis plants from three rooms fitted out with watering, heating and lighting equipment, all powered by free electricity supply as the meter had been bypassed.

Expert estimation of the potential worth of the plant yield was put at between £20,000, if sold in bulk, up to £130,000 in street deal sale values.

Hysa gave no reply to police questioning but indicated a guilty plea to a charge of cannabis production upon his appearance before magistrates shortly after his arrest.

A charge of abstraction of electricity was not proceeded with by the prosecution as Hysa denied responsibility for bypassing the meter.

Elisha Marsay, for Hysa, told the crown court sentencing hearing that the 34-year-old defendant is of previous good character.

(Image: Durham Constabulary)

“He accepts he was here illegally, so it begs the question why does a man of good character find himself in a foreign country acting as a gardener to an illegal cannabis grow?

“His wife has been due to have surgery back in Albania to address a brain tumour at the cost of 15,000 Euros.

“The defendant’s sole purpose for coming to the UK was t earn enough to pay back the debt he incurred to pay for his wife’s surgery.

“When he arrived in the UK his intentions were to find legitimate work, as much as he could bearing in mind he was here illegally.

“He never had any intentions to engage in criminal activity.

“He found himself in London and through word of mouth in the Albanian community found himself in accommodation in the property described.

“His intentions were to return to Albania to be with his wife, in July, to be there for the surgery at some point this month.

“The likelihood of him being there for that surgery is now non-existent.”

Miss Marsay said while his wife is aware of his situation in the UK, but his three children are oblivious of where their father is, or what he is doing.

She added: “Essentially, he tells me he is sorry for what he has done and feels badly about his actions at what is a stressful time for himself.”

Judge Peter Armstrong told the defendant that whatever the back story he was tending to a commercial cannabis grow set-up, with professional lighting, ventilation, watering and extraction facilities.

“It was capable of producing significant quantities for commercial sale.

(Image: Durham Constabulary)

“You appear to have become the ‘head gardener’ at the property.

“However, you were acting under direction and I accept you had no influence on those above you in the chain.”

(Image: Northern Echo)

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Imposing a 12-month prison sentence, Judge Armstrong told Hysa he would serve up to half but because of his status, it is likely he will be kept in custody prior to deportation.

“But that’s a matter for other authorities and not this court.”

The judge also made a deprivation order relating to the plants found in the house, the drug paraphernalia and the £163 seized from the defendant.