Albanian man admits role in £1.2m cannabis farm unearthed at former bookmakers in centre of Galashiels
Last updated 11th Nov 2024
A 48-year-old Albanian man has admitted being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug following the discovery of a large-scale cannabis cultivation in a commercial property in the centre of Galashiels.
Selkirk Sheriff Court today (Monday) heard the illegal haul unearthed in the former Ladbrokes store in Channel Street was believed to be worth £1.2 million.
It was one of two properties raided by police, dressed in riot gear, in the same street on March the 26th.
Sentence has been deferred on Petrit Musta - described as a prisoner in Kilmarnock - until next month for background reports.
It's understood another man is due to appear in court in connection with the cultivation found in the former Woolworths store, on the opposite side of the street, on the same date.
Officers estimate their combined value could have been worth more than £2.3 million.
It's believed to be the biggest haul ever seized in the Borders in a single day, and is almost double the 1,400 plants - valued at £1.2million - unearthed in a derelict mill in Selkirk last year.
Cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £150,000 were seized following a raid on a THIRD property in Channel Street two months later.
A 37-year-old man has been charged in connection with that discovery in the former Why Not? store.
Speaking at the time of the initial police swoop, Barry Roebuck, from Galashiels CID, said: “Taking drugs off the street is a priority for Police Scotland and information provided by the public is vital in helping us continue to do this.
“If you have any information or concerns about drug misuse, do not hesitate to contact Police Scotland on 101 or report this anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
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It's not the first time the former bookies has been used by criminals.
In 2019, another Albanian man was jailed for 30 months after a £200,000 cannabis cultivation was found there.
Mirjan Kastrati - who claimed he was a victim of human trafficking - said he fled Albania fearing he was going to be murdered and had to pay £16,000 to traffickers to escape to Britain.
Musta's case will recall at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on December the 3rd.
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