Man jailed after cannabis farm discovered in Ipswich
He'll spend eight months behind bars
Last updated 2nd Nov 2022
A man has been jailed after the discovery of a cannabis farm in Ipswich.
Police raided a disused shop in St Helens Street on August 6, finding a total of 99 cannabis plants with a street value of up to £48,000.
Four of the rooms inside the building has been converted to grow cannabis with extra insulation installed in a bid to avoid detection.
25 year old Arben Rekaj, of no fixed address, was arrested after jumping out of a first floor window.
He was sentenced to eight months in prison at Ipswich Crown Court on October 13, having previously pleading guilty to production of a Class B drug.
Sergeant Dave Logan, of Suffolk Constabulary, said: “This cannabis factory had been operating for some time without detection, hidden in plain sight.
“The path to its discovery began when officers from the South Sentinel team stopped a vehicle on the outskirts of Ipswich and found evidence that suggested there was a potential cannabis set-up at an address in the town.
"We subsequently conducted an investigation to establish its location before obtaining a warrant to enter the property.
“I am pleased to see that Arben Rekaj has been jailed for his part in this crime.
"There is a misconception that cannabis is harmless, however it not only puts a strain on the Constabulary and the NHS, but the revenue is often used to fund high level criminal groups.
“Cannabis factories are highly dangerous and I am pleased this one no longer poses a risk. I would urge the public to report suspicious behaviour to us so we can continue to assess this and take action where necessary.