Sheffield drug farmer caught redhanded was owed £3,000 wages

Officers forced the door of an end-of-terrace property on Holme Lane, Hillsborough, when no one answered and discovered Besnik Stafa, on Saturday, June 20.

Six rooms were being used to grow the cannabis with lamps, transformers, timers and fans, said prosecutor Louise Gallagher.

Stafa, who had £500 in cash and keys for the house, told police he entered the UK on the back of a lorry eight months ago, and had cultivated half the plants over a three month period.

"He had grown cannabis in Albania and was told he would be paid £3,000 per month to his parents' home in Albania," Ms Gallagher told Sheffield Crown Court heard on Friday.

“He intended to pay back his transport costs with the money earned.”

Khadim Al'Hassan, mitigating, said Stafa has no previous convictions in the UK and was remorseful.

"He was working in the building trade and sending money back to his family. He moved from London to Birmingham and lost his employment and had no income."

Mr Al'Hassan said Stafa was to be paid £3,000 in total, not per month, but his family have not been paid.

"He believes he has been exploited because he was vulnerable. He will be deported after this conviction."

Stafa, 31, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to production of cannabis on June 22 at the magistrates' court.

Recorder Richard Wright QC sentenced him to two years and eight months.

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