Leeds: Six jailed over cannabis farm at former Moortown care home

Top L-R: Andi Teta, Ali Qerfozi, and Erijon Gjoka, Bottom L-R: Alitor Deda, Agostin Marku and Edison Markeci

Six men have been jailed after they admitted growing cannabis plants worth up to £446,000 at a derelict care home in West Yorkshire.

The large-scale farm f was uncovered at Moorfield House, in Fieldhouse Walk, Moortown, in December.

Officers found equipment worth up to £45,000, including high-powered lamps, along with baseball bats and machetes.

The six men, who were all Albanian nationals, were sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on Thursday.

Sgt Simon Green said: "This was a large-scale cannabis farm which was clearly being run as part of an organised criminal enterprise.

"Our operation has stopped nearly half a million pounds worth of the drug reaching the streets, where this illegal trade fuels associated crime and anti-social behaviour."

The cannabis plants were found at the former Moorfield House care home in Moortown

Sgt Green added: "We hope this successful outcome will provide some reassurance to the community.

"We encourage anyone who suspects that any residential or commercial property is being used to grow cannabis to contact us so we can take action."

Alitor Deda, 30, Andi Teta, 33, Ali Qerfozi, 42, and Agostin Marku, 36, were each sentenced to two years in prison.

Erijon Gjoka, 21, was sentenced to 18 months while Edison Markeci, 21, received a 16-month jail term.

Officers found 811 cannabis plants capable of producing drugs with a street value of up to £446,000