Man charged after £450,000 cannabis farm found in Kirkby Stephen
A man has been remanded in custody after police discovered a large cannabis farm in the centre of Kirkby Stephen.
Officers carried out a warrant at a property in Market Square on Wednesday, July 1.
The operation involved Eden’s Neighbourhood Policing Team and the Westmorland and Furness Community and Serious Organised Crime Unit.
A search of the building uncovered a large growing operation. Cumbria Police estimated that the cannabis plants inside were worth around £450,000.
Suspect appears in court
Agim Cjapi, 32, of Market Street, Kirkby Stephen, was charged with producing a controlled Class B drug.
He appeared before South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 2.
Cjapi was remanded in custody and is due to appear at a further court hearing on July 31.
Raid forms part of organised crime operation
Police said the investigation formed part of Operation Alliance.
The force-wide operation targets serious and organised crime across Cumbria. This includes drug production, county lines activity, money laundering and organised crime groups.
Cumbria Police said Operation Alliance led to more than £14 million worth of drugs being seized during 2025. This included cannabis valued at £2.1 million.
Officers also detained cash and froze accounts containing more than £2.7 million as part of the crackdown.
The Kirkby Stephen case remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about suspected drug activity can report it to Cumbria Police online or by calling 101.
Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
