Two jailed after cannabis farm discovery in Brighouse

Bradford Crown Court heard that Clyde Toli and Fabian Xhika were discovered inside Brooksmouth Mills in Brighouse when police raided the premises earlier this month.

Officers found 1,339 cannabis plants in numerous rooms across several buildings with equipment to support a substantial grow including lamps, plastic sheeting, and heating.

It was described in court as “a very professional industrial-scale operation” that would have made “a huge profit” for those involved in its production.

Toli, 27, and Xhika, 26, were found on the first floor of the complex on Clifton Road.

Police at the scene earlier this month (Image: Newsquest)

A “tiny, cramped space” contained a “rudimentary” bed as well as CCTV cameras for security.

Prosecutor David Ward said both men gave prepared statements when arrested, claiming they were simply gardeners to water the cannabis plants, and that they had been on site for three to four weeks.

They both said they knew what they were doing and pleaded guilty to the production of a Class B controlled drug but refused to answer any further questions.

Mitigating for Toli and Xhika, William Staunton said both men had been “duped” into running the cannabis farm.

He said Toli had worked in construction in Lithuania but had travelled abroad – first to Italy, then to the UK – to earn money to pay for medication for his sick parents at home.

Xhika had studied mathematics and physics at university but dropped out when his parents lost their jobs and could no longer support him financially.

One was told the mill complex was somewhere he could stay whilst looking for work. The other was told he could work there legitimately.

Mr Staunton said: “When they both arrived and noticed the reality of the situation, they were told it would be a problem if they were to leave.

“They accept – both of them – [that] they decided to stay.”

Mr Staunton added: “There are huge profits to be found for those involved in this type of operation.

“But those huge profits do not tend to trickle down to those involved at the lowest end.

“Hydroponic systems and lighting are provided for plants but not people in this case.

“Both defendants describe themselves being kept literally in the dark. One describes not having seen the light of day for approximately four weeks before the police attended.”

Toli and Xhika appeared via video link from HMP Leeds and spoke via a Lithuanian interpreter.

Sentencing each of them to 20 months imprisonment, Her Honour Judge Sophie McKone said she accepted that both were of good character and had come to the UK seeking work and not primarily to grow cannabis.

The case was heard at Bradford Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

She said: “But when you were taken to that grow you had the choice to leave, and you didn’t.

“It is obvious this was a large, sophisticated grow capable of producing industrial quantities of cannabis.

“I accept that you played a lesser role in that grow, and the conditions that you lived in were far from ideal.

“But grows like these need farmers and whilst you may not have profited from the huge amount of profit capable, you played an important part in producing what is a dangerous drug.”

Judge McKone told both men that they will be deported at the end of their sentences.

She also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the cannabis plants and equipment seized during the drugs bust.

More cannabis farms have been smashed in recent months. The Brooksmouth Mills discovery marks the second significant drug bust to come before the courts in recent weeks.

On March 5, Albanian nationals Ronaldo Pasha, Elvis Shira, and Bledar Zeqo were each jailed for 45 months after they found living and working illegally at the former Carlton Works on Savile Park Road in Halifax.

A huge cannabis farm in the disused mills contained more than 5,000 plants with an anticipated street value of between £2.4m and £2.8m.