Cleethorpe Road cannabis farmer appears in court
A man found looking after a cannabis factory on Cleethorpe Road last month has appeared in court.
The operation at the former Lotus Chinese restaurant in Grimsby later went up in flames.
The suspect involved, Shkelzen Gashi, claims it was not him who set up the factory, but admitted to looking after 278 cannabis plants potentially worth £50,000, as he was desperate to pay off a debt.
Grimsby Crown Court heard how Gashi had borrowed money from another man and that to repay it, he had been recruited to look after the plants.
He admitted producing cannabis but denied dishonestly using electricity and causing the fire on May 13.
A search warrant was executed by Humberside Police at the premises, where it was found that the electricity supply had been bypassed, and Gashi was arrested at the scene.
There were 278 cannabis plants as well as heating, lighting, fans and watering equipment.
Gashi had £600 on him as well as a mobile phone and keys to the premises.
He told police that he entered the country at the age of 16 and moved to London when he was 18.
Helen Chapman, prosecuting, said:
“He borrowed money from another Albanian man.
“In order to repay the debt, it was arranged that he would meet this other Albanian man in Grimsby.
“He travelled to Grimsby as instructed about a week-and-a-half before he was arrested.
“He was to tell the police that the cannabis grow was already set up by the time he arrived at the property.
“He told police that he had simply been there to look after the property but accepts that he was watering the plants as well as altering the timers.
“He was to remain at the property until someone came to replace him. He was worried for his and his family’s well-being.
“The Crown accept that he was a gardener.”
It is thought that the street value of the plants is around £50,000.
Gashi made admissions and pleaded guilty.
He was given a six-month suspended custodial sentence, meaning that he would be released imminently.
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