Farmers growing £69k of cannabis in Bolton house tried to flee police raid

Bolton Crown Court heard that the 111 plants, growing over three floors of the Mayor Street, Heaton, house would have been worth up to £69,000 on the streets when harvested.

Joshua Bowker, prosecuting, told how officers raided the mid-terraced property and arrested Jurges Demaj and Marionel Medulaj almost immediately.

“You both knew you were involved in illegal activity, hence the reason why you sought to escape,” Judge John Potter told them.

Cannabis at Mayor Street

Neither man answered questions, and it was only after inquiries established the two 24-year-olds were not victims of modern slavery, that they pleaded guilty to producing cannabis.

Tariq Shakori, defending both men, said they had been under a degree of pressure to become involved in the cannabis farm, with Madulaj arriving at the house six months before the raid.

Marionel Medulaj

He had been paid a total of £600 to look after the plants, whereas Demaj had only been at the house for three days and had been paid nothing.

“Both have learnt their lesson, both have paid the price for it and both do not want to be back before any court again,” he said.

“Both are anxious to return to Albania.”

Jurges Demaj

Jailing both men for 21 months, Judge Potter told them: “This was an extensive cannabis grow — an operation capable of producing significant quantities for commercial use.

"Whether you are subsequently made subject to deportation from the UK is a matter for the authorities rather than this court.”

Neither man answered questions, and it was only after inquiries established the two 24-year-olds were not victims of modern slavery, that they pleaded guilty to producing cannabis.

Tariq Shakori, defending both men, said they had been under a degree of pressure to become involved in the cannabis farm, with Madulaj arriving at the house six months before the raid.

He had been paid a total of £600 to look after the plants, whereas Demaj had only been at the house for three days and had been paid nothing.

"Both have learnt their lesson, both have paid the price for it and both do not want to be back before any court again," he said.

"Both are anxious to return to Albania."

Jailing both men for 21 months, Judge Potter told them: "This was an extensive cannabis grow — an operation capable of producing significant quantities for commercial use. Whether you are subsequently made subject to deportation from the UK is a matter for the authorities rather than this court."