A man who came to Wales looking for "legitimate employment" became involved in running a cannabis factory worth almost quarter of a million pounds.
Indrit Musaku, 25, was among a group of people responsible for cultivating cannabis at an address in Treforest which was raided by police on February 26.
Around five rooms of the terraced property were used for the growing of cannabis with 221 plants discovered in total with a potential yield between 6.1kg and 18.5kg.
The total amount of the drugs found were worth between £77,350 and £232,000 when sold in 1g street deals.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday heard the house in Broadway where the cannabis factory was based was derelict and had bypassed electricity.
Prosecutor Tom Roberts said when police entered the property they found a man in a room with a bed, fridge, and cooking equipment.
Musaku was arrested later that day after police noticed a van driving round the area in a suspicious manner. When they pulled the vehicle over a driver and the defendant got out and a search took place. They discovered black plastic pots and fertiliser identical to the ones found in the house. The defendant's phone was also seized and was found to contain messages relating to the cultivation of cannabis.
Musaku, of no fixed abode, later pleaded guilty to cannabis production – an offence he already had a conviction for from 2017.
Check out stats on crimes in your community:
In mitigation Peter Donnison said his client had arrived in the UK from Albania to seek employment but found himself becoming involved in the criminal enterprise. He added the defendant's role in the enterprise was to deliver nutrients and food to the address in order for the plants to be cultivated.
Sentencing, Judge Niclas Parry said: "You became involved in an extremely serious matter. You were playing a significant role in what appears to be a large drugs operation.
"You were clearly aware how big this operation was and were clearly making money otherwise you wouldn't have done it."
Musaku was sentenced to a total of two years and six months imprisonment.
