Three men plead guilty after cannabis factory found in Eastbourne
Building contained large quantity of plants and equipment
Three men have admitted their roles in operating a cannabis factory, which was discovered in Eastbourne last month.
Police attended a building on Hawthorn Road in the early hours of Sunday 30th November, acting on suspicions about cannabis cultivation at the premises.
Inside, officers uncovered a large quantity of cannabis plants and growing equipment. They found that the building’s electricity meter had been bypassed.
A search of the property led to the discovery of two men nearby. A third man attempted to escape by climbing onto the roof, which collapsed, causing him to fall into a separate business below. After receiving hospital treatment, he was discharged and taken into custody.
On 1st December, Mikel Luku, 22, Ronaldo Pepa, 23, and Idriz Xhetani, 26, all of no fixed address, were charged with being concerned in the production of a Class B drug.
Luku and Pepa appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on the same day, pleading guilty to the charge. Xhetani appeared at the court on 2nd December and also admitted to the offence.
All three men have been remanded into custody and will be sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on 5th January 2026.