Three jailed for running cannabis factory in old shopping centre

Pictured left to right: Gjovalin Toma, Eduard Daja and Elton Skenderi

Three men have been jailed for running a cannabis factory at a derelict shopping centre in Irvine.

Elton Skenderi, 30, Gjovalin Toma, 31, and Eduard Daja, 39, pleaded guilty after police seized thousands of plants at the former Forum in September 2024.

Officers were tipped off by Scottish Power who had concerns about "energy use" at the site.

Skenderi was sentenced to five years and three months, Toma was jailed for six years and Daja was given six years and nine months.

The High Court in Glasgow heard the cannabis was valued at somewhere between £611,600 and £1,834,800.

Lord Mulholland told the men, who are from Albania: "You have all been convicted of drug trafficking. This was no small time operation.

"You have all come here to receive the benefits available from living here and this is how you treat the country - criminality on an industrial scale."

The court heard that, after receiving a tip off from Scottish Power, police forced entry and discovered a large cannabis cultivation over two floors.

Officers also discovered the same set-up in neighbouring units.

The door to the shopping centre had been barricaded with CCTV rigged up outside.

Police seized more than 3,000 cannabis plants at the shopping centre in Irvine

There was also what was described as "living quarters" which included a bedroom, a cooking area, an electric heater as well as tables and chairs.

Photos shown to judge Lord Mulholland also showed clothes hanging up, toiletries lying around and pictures on a wall.

A total of 3,058 cannabis plants were seized.

Skenderi and Toma were detained that night after trying to run from police. They were said to be "reeking" of cannabis.

Daja was caught the next day after being spotted leaving a fire exit at the shopping centre.

He claimed to have been sleeping in the building.

Fingerprint and forensic evidence linked Skenderi and Daja to the crime scene.

This included DNA from both found on hair clippers discovered there.

Doors to the former Forum shopping centre were barricaded before the police raid

Prosecutor Stewart Ronnie said: "At the time of their arrest, all three refused to provide information relevant as to whether they were victims of human trafficking."

The advocate depute gave further background on the trio.

Daja was sentenced to eight months for a similar offence in May 2023 at Leeds Crown Court.

He also served with a deportation order and was returned to Tirana in Albania in July 2023, but later returned to the UK.

Toma also had a previous conviction for cannabis growing. He was jailed for 14 months in Leeds in 2022.

He was also ordered to be sent back to Albania, but went on to claim asylum and it remains a live case.

Skenderi - like the other two - had no ties to the UK.

Det Insp Jamie Carruth said: "Drugs can have a devastating impact on our communities, and this significant recovery highlights our determination to getting these harmful substances off our streets and holding those involved in their supply accountable.

"Information from the public is absolutely vital to our work and we would continue to urge people to look out for the usual signs of cannabis cultivations and report any concerns to us."