Cannabis farmer found hiding in attic of Darlington house

Fatjon Hoxha had spent a month looking after the illicit crop before Durham Constabulary raided the house in Darlington last month.

The 21-year-old Albanian was told he would be deported once he had served his sentence when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court.

Elisha Marsay, prosecuting, said Hoxha was looking after the professionally set-up cannabis grow in the house on Leafield Road until the police raid was carried.

She said: “Police found a cannabis found spread across three rooms in the property and it was noted that the internal structure of the house had been changed to accommodate the grow.

“Electricity has also been tampered with and engineers were called to the property to make it safe.

“Following an extensive search of the property the defendant was found hiding underneath insulation in the attic.”

Durham Constabulary carrying out the raid on the house in Darlington (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Police valued the potential value of the cannabis grow ranged from £20,000 if sold in bulk up to £162,000 if sold on the streets but said there was no evidence of street dealing at the three bedroomed house.

Fatjon Hoxha (Image: Cleveland Police)

Hoxha, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to being involved in the production of a Class B drug, cannabis on October 2.

Chris Baker, mitigating, said his client accepted that he was making a small financial gain of £2,000 for five months of work on the cannabis farm but had not been paid anything at the time of his arrest.

He added: “It is accepted that the grow had the capacity for commercial purposes but perhaps not the biggest.”

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Judge Richard Bennett told Hoxha he would be deported to his native Albania once he had served his two-year sentence.

“They found a cannabis farm spread across three floors, this was a professional set up, you were located hiding under insulation in the attic and in possession of a mobile phone.

“Officers found the cupboards and fridge were stocked with food and the bed had been slept in,” he said.

“You had an awareness of the scale of the operation; however, you were performing your role under direction.”