JAILED: Man was recruited by 'organised criminals' in large-scale cannabis farm at Bradford mill

Defrim Sula was discovered hiding in a water tank in the mill on Dyson Street off Sunbridge Road by police who were alerted to a cannabis grow there.

A total of 306 cannabis plants, described by officers as "quality plants of a large size" were found growing across two rooms in the mill.

Defrim Sula. Picture: West Yorkshire Police

Sula, who entered the country illegally and was originally from Albania, was said to have been "recruited by organised criminals" to live in the mill and look after what was a "substantial cannabis production facility".

He pleaded guilty to cannabis production and was jailed.

Prosecutor Samuel Ponniah told Bradford Crown Court that police had had reason to believe there was a cannabis farm operating from the mill in April 2021, and there was a strong smell of cannabis from outside.

They narrowed their search down to an old mill and the building was raided on April 9, 2021, at around 7am.

"The shutters were opening in another part of the building and a man in blue trainers tried to leave. This was the defendant who was later found hiding in a room filled with water tanks. He was soaking wet and they found his mobile phone and fob for the shutters in one of the water tanks."

He described how officers uncovered two rooms for growing cannabis and one for chopping - with a total of 306 cannabis plants. There were also a a large number of fans and lights used in the growing of the plants.

cannabis plants

When Sula, of no fixed address, was arrested a note was found in his wallet "appearing to show the division of labour" with two other people.

Fuad Arshad, for Sula, said he had come to this country illegally, hoping to work and send money home to his wife and three children.

"He lasted in the building trade for a very little time due to the pandemic," he said.

Of the cannabis grow, he said while Sula had expected to receive some money for his work there, he had not actually been paid anything by the time the police raided the mill.

"Every few days men would come to check over the plants."

He added: "He knew what he was doing was wrong. He knew that what he was doing was illegal, but his explanation is that he had nowhere else to turn.

"Those who ran the operation provided him with shelter and he doesn't want the court to be under any other impression than that he was expecting to be paid, but he was intending to use a chunk of that to support his family."

Mr Arshad added the Sula was remorseful and wished to be deported back to Albania at the end of this sentence.

The Recorder of Bradford, Richard Mansell QC said: "You were recruited by organised criminals to live in old mill premises in Sunbridge Road in Bradford to mind a substantial cannabis production facility that had been set up in the basement of these premises."

He added: "There were a total of 306 cannabis plants growing in these various rooms and a further room where there was evidence of previous crops having been harvested."

"The growing of skunk cannabis and the subsequent sale of it is very big business. The profits of this kind of cannabis facility would run into tens of thousands of pounds.

"You were motivated by profit because you were there intending to earn money illegally which you would then send home to family and you were clearly aware of the scale of the operation because of you living there.

"Having said that, you were clearly not one of the organisers and you were therefore performing a lesser role in the operation under direction."

He said Sula would have received a sentence of 32 months imprisonment after a trial but this would be reduced to two years due to him pleading guilty to the charge. It was highly likely he would be deported after this, he added.