Man found hiding in cannabis farm jailed

South Yorkshire Police Arjan ImerajSouth Yorkshire Police
Arjan Imeraj, 45, was found hiding in a makeshift bedroom inside a cannabis factory

A man has been jailed after officers found him hiding in a cannabis factory in South Yorkshire.

Police discovered 150 plants - with an estimated street value of £150,000 - growing in an industrial unit in Kirk Sandall, Doncaster, after a tip-off from the public.

Further searches of the premises led them to finding Arjan Imeraj, 45, who was hiding in a makeshift bedroom at the back of the property.

At Sheffield Crown Court, Imeraj, of no fixed abode, admitted producing cannabis and was jailed for two years.

South Yorkshire Police said it was alerted about the industrial unit after people living nearby were told about a separate cannabis farm officers had recently uncovered.

A drone was flown over the unit, the force said, with evidence found of a "significant cannabis set-up".

South Yorkshire Police Cannabis farm found in Doncaster South Yorkshire Police
Police used a drone to help gather evidence of the cannabis factory

The building was searched on 2 May, leading to the discovery of the mature cannabis plants.

Speaking after his sentencing on 6 June, Insp Alison Carr said: "Cannabis isn't a harmless drug and large operations like this one are often linked to organised crime groups involved in exploitation, human trafficking and very serious violence.

"I want to urge the public to continue feeding us with intelligence so we can execute these drug warrants and bring criminals to justice."

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