Albanian man faces deportation as court reveals full scale of cannabis farm in Hawick
Last updated 22nd Jul 2024
A 41-year-old Albanian man caught growing cannabis at the former Buccleuch Hotel in Hawick has been jailed for more than two years.
Police armed with bolt-cutters found Dritan Katana hiding in an attic after gaining entry to the Trinity Street building, which was protected by a metal door and padlocks.
Selkirk Sheriff Court today (Monday) heard 77kg of the Class B drug - worth £771,000 - was seized during the raid on October 5th last year, along with 410 plants which had not yet fully matured.
Officers had been tipped off to potential suspicious activity in the weeks before, and arrived to find Katana, surrounded by bags of compost and fertiliser, in possession of three mobile phones.
Defence agent Liam Alexander explained his client had become involved with "some dangerous people" after getting into problems in Albania, in particular with gambling.
He said he had come to the UK for a job in construction but was instead brought to the Scottish Borders where he was given instructions on what to do, and essentially became the gardener, looking after the illegal cannabis cultivation.
Mr Alexander added: "What's clear is he is not top of the food chain here."
Katana - described as a prisoner in Edinburgh - previously pled guilty to two charges of producing cannabis and being concerned in the supply of the Class B drug between September 19th and October 5th, 2023, and sentence was deferred for background reports.
He re-appeared from custody in a green Puma tracksuit at Selkirk Sheriff Court, where proceedings were relayed to him through an interpreter.
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Sheriff Ian Anderson warned Katana that although he felt he only played a minor role in what was a serious criminal enterprise, it could not have functioned without his involvement.
He jailed the Albanian for 28 months - backdated to October the 6th last year, when he was first remanded - and ordered the forfeiture of £266 in cash found in his possession at the time of his arrest.
Passing sentence, the Sheriff added: "I understand you are in the UK illegally and the Home Office will take steps to deport you at the end of your sentence."
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Police have vowed to continue targeting the dealers after a spate of cannabis farms were unearthed in the Borders.
Speaking at the time of this raid, Inspector Robbie Noble, from Police Scotland, said: “We remain committed to disrupting the illicit supply of drugs in our communities and we will use every tool and resource at our disposal to remove these illegal substances from our streets.
“Information from the public is vital. If you have any information or concerns about drugs misuse or wider criminality in your area, please contact us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”
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