An illegal immigrant jumped from the top floor of a huge cannabis factory – in a building that was recently damaged in a huge fire.

Amarildo Huba, of Roundthorn Road in Oldham, entered the UK illegally from Albania and claimed he was working in the drug grow to pay off his debt to his human traffickers.

The 20-year-old was on the run for almost a year before being caught in London, and he was brought to justice on Thursday (April 24) at Liverpool Crown Court.

He appeared before a judge via video-link from HM Prison Liverpool, assisted by an Albanian interpreter, after admitting a charge of producing cannabis.

Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, told the court that Rusgan House is a commercial property in Warrington that was used as a bar until summer 2023.

The building was engulfed by a huge fire in recent weeks, causing significant damage, with two teenagers charged over the blaze to appear in court.

At 9am on March 19, 2023, officers from Cheshire Police executed a Misuse of Drugs Act warrant at the property.

Although some doors appeared to be barricaded, new locks were found with the keys still inside, allowing for ease of access.

Inside the building, officers found 729 cannabis plants across all three floors, of which 519 plants were ‘viable, very mature, and very healthy’ – with a yield of up to 43.5kg and top line street value estimate of £512,880.

A bedroom was found within the building and, although no one was present, CCTV showed the defendant jumping from the top floor and running away.

The police helicopter was heard circling the town centre following the discovery to assist in the search for him.

Nine people were arrested in the days that followed for entering, or trying to gain entry to, the premises, prompting Cheshire Police to warn people not to try and enter, and to stay away.

It said: “I would just like to point out to any would-be horticulturists that after any of our warrants, we take all drugs and equipment.

“You will not be getting any supplies for your next cannabis farm here.”

The defendant’s DNA was recovered from a toothbrush found at the property, and his fingerprint was recovered on lighting equipment.

Huba was circulated as wanted and arrested in London almost a year later on February 18 last year, having been cautioned by City of London Police for possessing cocaine with intent to supply it.

He was interviewed by police and said he had been working in the Warrington property ‘moving furniture’ and had his toothbrush with him ‘on the recommendation of his dentist’.

The defendant later admitted the offence on the basis that he entered the UK illegally and was working as a ‘gardener’ in the cannabis factory to pay off his £6,000 debt, accrued through his illegal immigration.

He claimed that he had been working at the cannabis farm for approximately three weeks, and although no threats were made to him directly, he said he was fearful of reprisals for his family back in Albania if he did not agree.

It was said that he has no previous convictions.

Mitigating, Jim Smith, defending, highlighted character references from Huba’s friends who asked for leniency and described him as being of ‘upright character, a role model, honest, and reliable’.

“The defendant wishes to return to Albania but credits his experience in the UK as complementing his life with the people he met,” Mr Smith said.

He added that custody has been a ‘salutary lesson’ for the defendant, who was anticipating a custodial sentence, with 12 months of imprisonment triggering automatic deportation.

Before sentencing, Judge Ian Harris said: “Electricity had been bypassed and, for want of a better word, this was a very professional growing operation.

“Plants were well-tended, healthy, and flourishing.

“Cannabis is not a soft drug. It is dangerous, it causes psychosis, it affects individuals and communities, and it can damage lives irreparably.

“You were part of an operation that was producing cannabis on a huge scale. Immediate custody is the only appropriate sentence for this type of offending.

“You will undoubtedly be deported at the time of your release, and I know you will welcome that.”

Amarildo was sentenced to 15 months in prison.

An order was approved by the court for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and growing equipment seized from the property.

(Source: theoldhamtimes.co.uk)