Huge cannabis grow with £375,000 street value found in Hull flats.

Police found a huge haul of cannabis plants, with a lucrative potential street value of about £375,000, spread across a few rooms in a sophisticated growing operation.

There were 659 plants in total and the electricity in one flat in the building had been bypassed so that it could be used in the cannabis factory.

The man who was looking after the cannabis plants quickly scrambled onto the roof while the police were breaking in to the house but he later appeared when they got inside, Hull Crown Court heard.

Ergo Sala, 20, of Hessle Road, west Hull, admitted producing cannabis on June 7.

Cathy Kioko-Gilligan, prosecuting, said that police executed a search warrant at the house at 8.10am. There were several flats there. While the police were forcing their way in, Sala appeared on the roof.

“However, once the officers were inside the property, the defendant presented himself to them and was arrested,” said Miss Kioko-Gilligan. His mobile phone was seized.

“The flats were searched, and cannabis grows were found in the ones that the defendant lived in,” said Miss Kioko-Gilligan.

“There was also a cannabis grow in an upstairs flat. The third flat was empty. The electricity for that flat had been bypassed for the cannabis grow.”

There were 389 cannabis plants in total and a follow-on crop of 270 nursery plants. “The cannabis factory spanned a number of rooms,” said Miss Kioko-Gilligan.

The estimated potential yield of the 389 plants was 12.5kg, with a possible street value of £125,000. The follow-on crop would yield twice that, with a likely street value of £250,000. Other cannabis found in the property had a street value of £1,999. The likely total value of all the cannabis was £376,999. Digital scales and other equipment were found.

Sala made no comment during police interview. He had no previous convictions.

Oliver Shipley, mitigating, said that it was cannabis production on a commercial scale. Sala was from Albania, and he had no family ties in this country. He spoke no English and got involved through naivety.

“What he wasn’t aware of before getting into this, he certainly is aware of now,” said Mr Shipley. “Regrettably, he has got himself very much in with the wrong crowd. Despite not being paid any wages for his work, he acknowledges the consequences of his involvement.

“He understands that there may be a planned strategy in place for his deportation back to Albania.”