A mechanic turned 'gardener' has been jailed after he was caught looking after a £400,000 cannabis factory in Craigneuk.
Police discovered 680 plants when the noise of electric fans was heard inside a flat in Flaxmill Avenue.
Blendi Myftaraj, 26, was sentenced to 30 months at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.
He admitted producing cannabis on November 2 last year.
Mairi-Clare McMillan, prosecuting, said police officers went to the address after a tip-off.
She told the court: "There was no answer when they knocked, but they could hear what sounded like fans operating inside and decided to seek a search warrant.
"While they were waiting outside, the accused attended at the front door at 12.15pm.
"He saw the police officers and there was a short chase before he was arrested.
"He said there were 600 plants and he just maintained them."
Advocate Wendy Hay, defending, said Myftaraj, who is Albanian, had worked as a mechanic in Italy.
He and his wife moved to London last year for "a better life" and he had a job in construction.
He was then offered a job in Scotland, but at that point didn't know what it involved.
The lawyer added: "He made the wrong choice but felt his options were limited.
"He was fearful of those involved.
"He has no previous convictions and is ashamed that he now has this conviction."
Passsing sentence, Sheriff Alasdair MacFayen told Myftaraj: "Production of controlled drugs is an important link in the supply chain.
"You were a gardener and it is a significant role.
"You are a mature individual and must take responsibility for your actions."
The 30-month stretch was backdated as Myftaraj has been in custody since November.
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