Illegal immigrant jailed for role in record £6.3m drugs factory in Fife
The Albanian man was caught at the disused shop on Kirkcaldy High Street
An illegal immigrant from Albania caught working in Scotland’s highest value cannabis factory in a former shop in Fife has been jailed.
Police uncovered the massive cultivation in a disused shop on Kirkcaldy’s High Street on May 4, 2022 – worth £6.3million.
At the High Court in Edinburgh 24-year-old Petrit Gjuraj was sentenced to three years and three months for being concerned in the production of a controlled drug. It’s understood he was working on behalf of a major crime gang.
The sophisticated set-up included a total of 1330 plants over three storeys of the building. Each area had irrigation, industrial heating and lighting units for the plants and there was living quarters for workers.
Detective Sergeant Kayleigh Lewis, Fife CID, said: “Uncovering a cultivation of this scale has a significant impact on the supply of cannabis onto Scotland’s streets.
“I hope that this sentencing sends a clear message to anyone involved in the production and supply of illegal drugs that we will use all resources at our disposal to track you down and ensure you face the consequences.
“Police Scotland remains committed to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious and Organised Crime Strategy, and our officers are determined to protect members of the public from this type of criminality
“The support we receive from the public is vital and we urge anyone with information or concerns regarding drugs in their community to contact police through 101. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”