Trio of cannabis farmers rumbled in house with over 100 plants after police tip-off

A trio of cannabis growers have been reprimanded after police caught them tending to over 100 plants.

Eduart Rexhaj, Endrit Hodo and Festm Karmi were among five men in the house when police made the discovery and now the Albanian men could face deportation when they are released.

Police responded to a tip off from the public of suspicious activity at a house, which the crooks had transformed into a hash haven.

The “farm” was home to 104 cannabis plants, which had an estimated profit of up £56,000.

At court this week all three men pled guilty to being concerned in the production of cannabis on a limited basis accepted by prosecutors.

There were 29 plants due to be harvested and dozens of seedlings at various stages of growth found in the raid (Getty (stock))

Festm Karmi put forward the case that he was there to tend to just ten plants and the other two saying they were there to crop the plants, according to a report in Chronicle Live.

Newcastle Crown Court recorder Carl Gumsley told them: “The growing cultivation of cannabis is a serious matter and I’m satisfied in each of your cases only custody can be justified.

“You will serve half of that period in custody and in reality, because of the time you have already served in custody, you will have served already the period required by the criminal sentence.

“If and when you are released, you must comply with any conditions imposed on you by probation.

“Whether you are released will depend on your immigration status and the view the Home Office take about you, which is not a matter for me.”

The three men were sentenced to six months each but have served the sentence already on remand. However, the Home Office will decide whether they should be released, based on their immigration status.

The court heard the farm in Eastwood Gardens, Gateshead, comprised of 29 plants which had been cut in preparation for harvest and dozens of seedlings at various stages of growth.

The estimated value was between £13,000 and £56,000, the court was told.

The electricity meter had also been bypassed.

Rexhaj, 37, of Second Street, Mansfield, Hodo, 31, of no fixed address and Kasmi, 41, of no fixed address, have no previous conviction in this country.

Their lawyers made no representation when the judge indicated what level of sentence he was going to impose.