Albanian Man Jailed After £98,000 Cannabis Farm Found Near Barrow School
A 24-year-old Albanian man has been jailed after police uncovered a large cannabis farm worth nearly £98,000 at a property in Barrow.
Argjent Dedja, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 12 months in prison. After admitting his role in the operation. The farm was discovered inside a four-bedroom terraced house on Lumley Street. Directly opposite a primary school.
Police Find Nearly 200 Cannabis Plants
Officers carried out a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act and found 196 cannabis plants spread across all four bedrooms. Around half of the plants were fully grown.
The property had been heavily adapted for drug production. Police found:
- industrial-scale lighting and ventilation systems
- windows covered with reflective sheeting
- an electricity supply that had been tampered with to bypass the meter
The setup showed clear signs of a professional and organised growing operation.
Arrest After Attempted Escape
Dedja was arrested after being seen fleeing the property towards a nearby school, partially clothed.
The discovery raised concerns not only about the scale of the operation, but also its location in a residential area close to children and families.
Background and Role in the Operation
The court heard that Dedja had travelled to the UK after paying around €10,000 to be trafficked from Albania, passing through Italy and France before arriving.
He told officers he arrived in Barrow by train from London and was collected by unknown individuals. He claimed he had been promised work and denied knowing about the cannabis operation.
However, he admitted being involved in the production of cannabis. The court was told his role was likely limited within a wider organised network.
Court Outcome
Dedja pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of cannabis and was sentenced remotely from HMP Preston on March 19.
Magistrates imposed an immediate 12-month prison sentence, stating there was a high risk of reoffending. He was also ordered to pay:
- £400 in prosecution costs
- £187 victim surcharge
The cannabis and all equipment used in the operation were ordered to be destroyed.
Defence and Mitigation
Defence solicitor Liza Phizacklea said Dedja had no previous convictions and had only been at the property for a short time.
She explained that he was in debt to those who arranged his journey to the UK and had limited involvement in the operation.
Despite this, the court ruled that the seriousness of the offence and the risk of further crimes meant a custodial sentence was necessary.
Wider Context
Cases like this highlight the ongoing issue of commercial cannabis farms linked to organised crime, often operating in residential areas.
They can pose serious risks, including:
- fire hazards from unsafe electrics
- damage to properties
- exploitation of vulnerable individuals
Police say they will continue targeting these operations across Cumbria.
Looking Ahead
The case underlines both the scale of illegal drug production and the complex circumstances behind it, including the role of trafficking networks.
Authorities are continuing to urge the public to report suspicious activity, particularly where there are signs such as covered windows, unusual smells or constant activity at a property.
