Jail for Black Country cannabis farmer put to work to pay back traffickers
An illegal immigrant forced to work at a Black Country cannabis factory in order to pay off debts to human traffickers has been jailed.
Tahir Ndreu, aged 32, worked as a "gardener" at the operation in North Street, Smethwick, after he was brought into the UK illegally.
He was arrested by police following a raid at the premises in July last year, where officers found 118 plants growing - with a street value of almost £100,000
Ndreu, originally from Albania, initially denied being involved in the production of cannabis but later changed his plea.
He was sentenced to 26 months imprisonment at Birmingham Crown Court and was reported for deportation after his sentence.
The judge also ordered the destruction of the drugs paraphernalia.
Prosecuting, Katie Fox, said 118 plants were found by police, spread out across four rooms, alongside a hydroponic set-up and bags of fertiliser.
She said: "The defendant was arrested at the scene. He said he was a gardener and was paid to look after the plants.
"But when formally interviewed by police, he [said] he knew nothing about them and used the downstairs room."
Defending him, Martin Liddiard, said his client had been in the country "approaching two years" before the offence.
He said: "He is 32 years old, has no wife or children. He came to the country as an illegal immigrant. Mr Ndreu had been there to settle a debt.
"He has already been in custody for seven and a half months."
His sentence was reduced due to his guilty plea, his previous good character and that he had a limited function at the drugs factory, said judge Kristina Montgomery QC.
She said: "I sentence you on the basis of your admission to the police that you were paid to look after the plants, and accept your reason that was to discharge your debt to people traffickers who had brought you into the United Kingdom illegally.
"You are a man of good character. Of course, you came to this country and were kept in the circumstances you were found.
"You have suffered some hardship.
"I sentence you in court to 26 months in prison, of which you will serve half before automatic release.
"If you are released into the community, you will be on license.
"The sentence I pass this morning means you will be automatically reported for deportation."
