Cannabis grower jailed after 300 plant haul found

Arben Meta admitted producing cannabis

A cannabis grower who was found hiding behind a fridge during a police raid has been jailed.

Officers discovered more than 300 plants in bedrooms and a loft at a home in Sunderland in November, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Albanian-national Arben Meta, 23, who was living in the UK illegally, claimed he was working to pay off a debt.

He admitted being concerned in the production of cannabis and was jailed for six months.

Police found 309 cannabis plants at a house in Sunderland

Officers forced entry into the property in Roseville Street at about 15:45 GMT on 1 November and discovered Meta hiding in the kitchen, prosecutor Antonia Adie said.

Both the front and back doors had been reinforced with wooden planks and police found mature cannabis plants in two bedrooms upstairs and a loft, along with industrial growing equipment, Ms Adie said.

Meta admitted his involvement on the basis he had entered the country illegally and with no right to work to escape debts in Albania, the court heard.

He claimed he was told he could work as a gardener at the grow to pay off his debt and moved into the house a week before it was raided.

In mitigation, John Crawford said Meta's story was "sad but unfortunately not uncommon".

Mr Crawford said immigration proceedings were already under way for Meta.

Judge Carolyn Scott said the grow was "capable of producing significant quantities" of cannabis for "commercial use".