Arboretum Road, Worcester cannabis farm - illegal immigrant jailed

A judge told Ervis Akulli there was a burgeoning tourist trade in the defendant's homeland of Albania so he could have got a legitimate job instead of doing illegal work in the UK.

Worcester Crown Court heard the 25-year-old was involved in the production of cannabis at a property Akulli lived at in Arboretum Road, Worcester. 

Kiran Pourawal, prosecuting, said on November 30 police carried out a raid of the property but while in the process of forcing the door open Akulli opened it.JAILED: Ervis Akulli (Image: West Mercia Police)Police found cannabis growing in a cellar, dining room and two bedrooms with white sheets covering walls and the floor used to increase humidity to help grow 129 plants. 

Drug paraphernalia including timers, lights, fertilisers and ventilation was also found the prosecutor said. 

The court heard Akulli had two mobile phones on him as well as £200 cash. 

Akulli, who had no previous convictions, gave a no comment interview to police after arrest.

The prosecutor added Akulli was refused entry to the UK in 2021 so was in the country illegally, and the crown viewed him to have had a significant role in the crime. 

Akulli admitted being concerned in the production of a controlled drug of Class B - cannabis, and an offence of abstract / use without authority electricity at Kidderminster Magistrates Court last month.

But His Honour Judge James Burbidge KC, Worcester's most senior judge, allowed Akulli to vacate his plea on the electricity charge after hearing the defendant had mistakenly admitted to that.

PROPERTY: A property in Arboretum Road was used to grow cannabis (Image: Newsquest)Andrew Davidson, defending, explained in fact Akulli had arrived at the property when the electricity was already being bypassed as the operation was set up. 

Mr Davidson said Akulli's role was as a gardener and not significant asking the judge to make a jail sentence "as short as possible". 

Sentencing Akulli Judge Burbidge said: "You travelled into England as an economic migrant - part of the aggravating features is that you were denied entry in 2021. 

CASE: Akulli was jailed at Worcester Crown Court "You had a significant advantage in that you were provided a home - a place to hide from the authorities."

The judge said the seriousness of the crime meant only custody was the correct sentence, jailing Akulli for 14 months.

The judge ordered the destruction of the cannabis found and seizure of £200 which he said would go to charitable causes.

Akulli appeared on videolink from HMP Hewell to the court during the hearing on Tuesday, (January 1).