Two men have been sentenced to 15 months in prison for their involvement in a large-scale cannabis factory in a disused commercial property in Newport.
Petrit Cania, 24, and Olsi Mema, 32, from Newport appeared in Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday 21 December where both pleaded guilty to producing a controlled Class B drug – cannabis.
The cannabis cultivation was discovered in disused premises in Commercial Street, Newport on Thursday 2 November following reports of suspicious activity in the building.
PC Matthew Jones, the officer in the case said: “We welcome today’s sentence and hope that it sends a clear message that drug supply will not be tolerated in our communities.
“Every cannabis factory we dismantle helps prevent a vicious cycle of crime. By disrupting operations, the plants are stopped from being sold into our communities and the profits are prevented from going on to fund other crime.”
Superintendent Jason White said: “In the last few months, we’ve dismantled nine cannabis factories in central Newport. Many of these have been set up and managed by sophisticated serious organised crime groups who are taking advantage of disused commercial properties.
“The public and partners play an important role in providing information and we encourage anyone with concerns to get in touch.
“If something doesn’t feel right, it might not be. Don’t wait, report it.
“You can do this by calling 101, sending us a message on social media, or anonymously through Crimestoppers.”
