SENTENCE has been adjourned for a man who has admitted producing the illegal class B drug cannabis in a former Whitehaven bank.

Drilon Hasani, 32, was one of two men charged following the discovery last month of 1,000 plants at the Lowther Street building, which a drugs expert has estimated had a street value of at least £200,000 but potentially much more.

Prosecutor say the cannabis growing operation was a “professional, industrial” set up, designed to produce continuous crops.

(Image: Newsquest)

The defendant who admitted his guilty, speaking through an Albanian interpreter, requested that he be sentenced immediately when he appeared before Judge Michael Fanning at Carlisle Crown Court.

But the judge said he needed to deal with Hasani alongside his co-defendant, who is yet to enter a plea to an identical allegation.

He adjourned the case until September 20, remanding both Hasani, of Camomile Close, Walsall, and his 39-year-old co-defendant in custody. The second defendant will be asked to enter his plea when he returns to court.

After police raided the Whitehaven building on August 6, they issued advice about the tell-tale signs of illegal cannabis farming.

The indicators include:

  • Strong, sickly smells coming from properties
  • Properties where the windows are constantly covered
  • Excessive security around properties, such as CCTV
  • High levels of unusual condensation on windows
  • Lots of visitors – and at unsociable hours
  • Bright lights day and night
  • The constant buzz of ventilation.

Cumbria Police have uncovered several large cannabis farms in the county in recent years, with many being run using sophisticated growing and lighting systems.

For more information about the potential impact of cannabis use on mental health, go to this webpage from The University of Bath.