Peterborough man jailed after cannabis factories found

Part of a cannabis factory found by police in Peterborough

A man has been jailed after a police discovered a string of cannabis factories across a city with £450,000 worth of crops inside.

Police found more than 500 plants in four properties after executing several warrants across Peterborough.

During one raid Erjon Llusha, 25, was arrested at his home along with other suspects.

He pleaded guilty to producing cannabis and was sentenced to 17 weeks at Cambridge Magistrates' Court.

Addresses were raided in Woodston, Walton, Bretton, Gunthorpe and Fletton in Peterborough, and also Stamford in Lincolnshire.

Llusha, of Peake Close in Woodston, was linked to cannabis factories on Victoria Street and Princes Road in Fletton, after police said they discovered evidence on his mobile phone.

Four cannabis factories were uncovered.

'Violent behaviour'

Cambridgeshire Police arrested a total of eight people and seized plants worth an estimated £454,440.

A man, 29, and a woman, 26, both from Peterborough, were arrested during the operation alongside a 47-year-old man from Stamford in Lincolnshire.

They have been bailed while investigations continue.

Four men, aged 21, 23, 29 and 33, were detained and handed over to immigration services.

Sgt Paul Delmer said: "Tackling issues around drugs and organised crime is a priority for us as a force due to the violent and criminal behaviour that it often attracts.

"In order to assist us with this work, I would like to encourage the public to continue reporting their concerns and any suspicious activity that could indicate a cannabis factory."