Two gardeners have been caught with a substantial amount of cannabis in their possession in Bedwas, Caerphilly. Anduen Spahiu, 20, and Reols Havalja, 26, were found tending to a cannabis factory where police discovered 10kg of the drug valued between £40,000 and £50,000. The discovery was made on January 31, following reports of cannabis being removed from a property.
During a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, it was revealed that the pair had been loading the cannabis into a van for transportation. In addition to the cannabis found in the van, remnants of a cannabis farm, complete with ventilation, lights, and fans, were found in a nearby house.
Both Spahiu and Havalja, who were of no fixed abode, admitted to charges of cannabis production and possession with intent to supply. Havalja, who entered the UK illegally from Albania, was to receive £1,000 for moving the cannabis. Meanwhile, Spahiu claimed to be working to repay debts incurred during his illegal entry into the country.
Sentencing the pair, Judge Matthew Porter-Bryant described the operation as significant, resulting in Spahiu receiving an 11-month prison sentence and Havalja a 13-month prison sentence.
The discovery of the cannabis farm and subsequent arrests highlight the ongoing issue of drug cultivation and distribution within the area. Such cases serve as a reminder of the efforts needed to combat illegal drug activities and the importance of upholding the law to ensure community safety.