Florian Daci, 24, and 28-year-old Edmond Pula, who both subsequently admitted illegally producing the Class B drug on an “industrial scale” at the former nightclub in Lancaster Street, both suffered serious leg injuries.

A third man who also jumped from the roof suffered the most serious injuries and remains in hospital, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

Brendan Burke, prosecuting, outlined the offences, confirming that the farm was set up by an Albanian organised crime gang in the city's former Pagoda nightclub.

As he opened the case, the barrister told Recorder Paul Hodgkinson that the building involved is a former nightclub, with the offence being an example of a “proliferation” in such cannabis farms.

Such premises were ideal for such illicit operations, said the prosecutor, because they typically had few windows and were well sound-proofed. Mr Burke said police raided the building on May 10.

The scene after the cannabis farm was discovered. (Image: Newsquest)

“These two defendants and another man… were in the premises tending to the plants and apparently living there," said the prosecutor. "All three men fled through a hatch on to the roof of the building, which is eight metres above ground.

“They attempted to jump from that roof to the roof of an adjacent building, which was four metres distant. Failing in that manoeuvre, they fell the eight metres.”

Mr Burke said the three men suffered a hierarchy of injuries, with Daci needing a spell in hospital for lower limb injuries, and Pula suffering feet injuries. The third man, who has not been charged, came off worst.

He remains immobile in hospital with multiple, complex fractures.

The prosecutor went on to describe what police found inside the building: there was a sophisticated growing operation, with cooling equipment and a system for delivering nutrients to the plants.

The entire operation was powered by stolen electricity, the legitimate supply system having been illegally bypassed. Police also found 789 juvenile plants, which is thought to be the operation’s next crop.

Mr Burke said it was accepted that the two defendants, who have no fixed abode, were working as “farmers” under the direction of criminals higher up the chain of command, growing cannabis on an industrial scale for commercial use.

Jeff Smith, for Daci, said he was smuggled into the UK a year ago in the back of a lorry, hoping to find a better life.

After initially working in London in the construction trade, he was brough to Carlisle some three months before his arrest.

Images from inside the operation (Image: Cumbria Police)

Mr Smith said: “He was doing what he was doing to discharge an £18,000 debt that he owed for being brought to the UK. He knows that custody is inevitable, and then his removal from the country will eventually happen.”

John Bottomley, for Pula, said he too was brought illegally into the UK. He also was “forced” to work at the Carlisle cannabis farm to pay off his debt. Having lost his father at an early age, he had to abandon his education and work to support his family.

Pula broke his feet in his jump from the building and he wants now to return to Albania, added Mr Bottomley.

Recorder Hodgkinson jailed both men for two years.

He accepted that the defendants had performed a “limited function” in the growing operation and that both had suffered from their injuries, though he added: “But it has to be said that those were inflicted entirely as a result of your own doing.”

Both defendants will face automatic deportation when they are released.

'One of the biggest finds ever uncovered in Cumbria'

Detective Inspector Martyn Park was the senior investigating officer.

Speaking after the sentencing, he said: “This was a massive industrial-scale drugs factory.

“It was a huge find, one of the biggest ever uncovered in Cumbria and this discovery will have undoubtedly had a big impact on the local world of drugs supply.

“Our work to uncover these types of criminal operations relies on information from the public, who are often the first to notice something suspicious in their communities.

“We want to hear from anyone who sees anything out of the ordinary that could help us in our work to tackle serious and organised crime.

“This includes business owners and their staff, as cannabis farms can be set up in places such as industrial units.

“Please come forward with information – everything will be reviewed and acted upon accordingly.”