The haul was discovered in Grays in the summer
Four men, including three from East London, are behind bars after running a cannabis farm worth £100k from an industrial estate. Essex Police uncovered 230 plants growing in two large units on the Globe Industrial Estate, in Grays, on June 3 of this year.
An investigation by the Serious and Organised Crime Unit led to its cultivators being jailed for than 14 years. Ervin Sadikaj, 34, of Langley Crescent, Dagenham received the longest sentence of four years and eight months imprisonment.
Besjan Mustafaj, 32, of Booth Road, North Woolwich, was handed four years. Albest Deda, 27, of Lymington Road, Dagenham, and Pashk Gjonaj, 32, of no fixed address, were each jailed for three years.
The group was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on Friday, October 31, after being convicted of being concerned in the production of cannabis. Detective Sergeant David Crane, of Essex Police, said: “Drugs are a poison in our communities that destroy lives. Where cannabis is being illegally grown and sold, violence and exploitation often follows.
“The illegal trade in cannabis causes a huge amount of misery with the most vulnerable people in our communities often being the most affected. We will never apologise for targeting those responsible and bringing them to justice.”
DS Crane urged residents with concerns about drug dealing in their neighbourhood to come forward, emphasising that even when action isn’t immediately visible, police are working behind the scenes.
“The community plays a really important part in this work,” he said. “Even if you don’t see action by us immediately it doesn’t mean we’re not looking into it.
“Your information helps us build a picture of what is happening across the county, it helps us progress investigations and build intelligence and a case which can then lead to warrants being executed down the line.
“It’s really valuable and we’re always really grateful for it.”
Sign up to our London Crimewatch WhatsApp community for the latest major court updates and breaking news delivered straight to your phone. Sign up HERE. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the MyLondon team. We also treat our subscribers to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To unsubscribe, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’. If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
