TWO Albanian men who were caught operating illegal cannabis farms in west Cumbria have been warned they are likely to be deported.

Police discovered the two secret cannabis growing operations within a few miles of each other - one at Main Street, Cleator, and the other at Brisco Road, Egremont - Carlisle Crown Court heard.

In the dock were Blerim Salimusaj, 26, and Luka Mecini, 22. Both pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in the production of the class B drug.

Brendan Burke, prosecuting, said the cannabis growing operation came to light on February 29 when police raided the property at Brisco Road in Egremont, finding 185 plants which were being professionally grown.

“There was all of the equipment which is normally associated with the large scale production of cannabis,” said Mr Burke.

A witness had earlier seen the two defendants getting into an Audi car, which police began to investigate. Officers saw the two defendants parking outside a property in Main Street, Cleator.

The two men – the defendants – were then seen going inside. When the officers followed the men inside, they found a second growing operation, this time comprising 142 cannabis plants.

This also was being produced with the standard illegal cannabis farm equipment, such as lighting and feeding systems as well as ventilation. The value of the two crops was not spelled out in court.

News and Star: The defendants were growing hundreds of cannabis plants, the court heard. The defendants were growing hundreds of cannabis plants, the court heard. (Image: Newsquest)

“The defendants now agree that they were involved in both operations,” said Mr Burke. “The operations are commercial rather than industrial [in scale].”

There are no previous convictions recorded against either defendant.

Jacob Dyer, for Salimusaj, formerly of Lily Street, West Bromwich, said the defendant came to the UK illegally in 2018 and as a result of being 'trafficked' in that way, he now owed a debt of more than £20,000.

“He was struggling to work off that debt,” said the barrister. “When he farmed the cannabis, it was nothing to do with the traffickers but his financial motivation was to pay off the debt.

“Before this, he was working in various construction jobs, but he hadn’t been able to make any inroads into his debt.”

Judge Andrew Jefferies KC noted that the defendants, unable to gain lawful employment, had worked as cannabis farmers for three months. But neither man, said the judge, were involved against their will.

He jailed them both for 18 months. “That means you are liable for deportation at some point during your sentence,” he added, though the final decision will be made by the Home Secretary.

The court record has no address listed for Mecini.