Six men have been sentenced to between 22 and 36 months in prison after admitting roles in a large-scale cannabis production operation uncovered at a warehouse in Mansfield.
Nottingham Crown Court was told officers forced entry to the Botany Avenue premises on 3 May after detecting a strong smell of cannabis while on patrol and hearing movement inside. The building had sealed entrances, bricked-up access points and CCTV coverage.
Nearly 5,000 plants discovered
Investigators found 3,928 plants across three growing rooms, plus a further 935 plants in a separate drying area. Police estimate the operation could have yielded between 110kg and 330kg of cannabis, with a potential street value of £1m to £3m.
Judge James Sampson described the factory as an extremely large and sophisticated commercial set-up. The court heard the plants were healthy and well maintained, pointing to a high level of planning and horticultural expertise.
Sentences handed down at Nottingham Crown Court
Lanti Avapi, Artu Ruqu, Eldis Beneri, Elton Salihasi and Robert Ruko, all of no fixed address, and Ardit Gjonaj, of Smethwick, each pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of a Class B drug.
The judge said the defendants lived in cramped and unsanitary conditions, with little beyond a sink for personal hygiene. He accepted each played a lesser role and was unlikely to have held a managerial or directing position.
Artu Ruqu, 44, received the longest term at 36 months. Ardit Gjonaj, 37, was jailed for 32 months. Lanti Avapi, 45, Elton Salihasi, 41, and Robert Ruko, 48, were each sentenced to 24 months. Eldis Beneri, 34, received 22 months.
Force's largest seizure on record
District commander Insp Katie Eustace said officers were first alerted while patrolling nearby Sutton Road, returned the following day and noticed the sealed building before calling for backup. All six defendants were arrested at the scene.
Nottinghamshire Police said the seizure exceeds the force's previous record of 4,049 plants, found at a site in Basford in 2017.
Reporting based on court proceedings and statements from Nottinghamshire Police.
