Men caught at £9m Glasgow cannabis factory walk free
The judge ruled the Albanian men had been victims of human trafficking
Two men caught at a £9.5m cannabis factory in Glasgow have walked free from court after it emerged they were victims of human trafficking.
The pair, who are Albanian nationals and in their 20s, pleaded guilty last June, but were acquitted on Wednesday in what a judge described as an "exceptional" case.
They had been held after police swooped on the converted industrial building in Possilpark, Glasgow.
Officers uncovered "a very large and sophisticated" set-up consisting of 3,000 cannabis plants during the raid on November 2 2020.
The men had admitted drugs charges
The two men were remanded in custody having admitted to a charge of being involved in the production of the drug and sentencing was adjourned.
A hearing then last month was told how the Home Office had since got information the pair had instead been trafficked into the country from their homeland of Albania to work at the factory.
A lawyer for one of the men told the court extensive investigations had been carried out prior to him pleading guilty last June.
Billy Lavelle, defending, added: "All these matters were considered including the special defence of coercion.
"I now know from further consultations that he was fearful of telling me what the true circumstances were due to the effect it would have on him and his family back in Albania.
"I would not have plead guilty if trafficking was an issue."
Advocate Kevin Henry said the other man was in a similar position.
After the hearing was adjourned once more, the case called again today/yesterday at the High Court in Glasgow.
Both Mr Lavelle and Mr Henry asked for the guilty pleas to be withdrawn.
'Exceptional circumstances'
Prosecutor Greg Farrell then told the court: "I can confirm there is no opposition to the guilty pleas being withdrawn and the Crown will now accept not guilty pleas."
Lord Mulholland said: "This is an exceptional step and I am satisfied there are exceptional circumstances."
The judge had previously been outspoken against human trafficking in his former role as Scotland's Lord Advocate and the support needed for victims. He told the pair: "Your pleas of guilty have been withdrawn and the Crown has indicated they will accept pleas of not guilty effectively due to your trafficking status.
"You were kept in prison over Christmas and New Year so that those acting for you could arrange accommodation for both of you, so that you are not homeless and at risk.
"Your pleas of not guilty being accepted, you are discharged from the dock and free to go."
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