Three Albanians, members of a gang arrested in a house with a large amount of cannabis and cash in Great Britain, have been sentenced to 27 months in prison each. 

Kladian and Leonard Cela, as well as Gentian Medulaj were among four men arrested after police were alerted by neighbours to the noises coming from the allegedly unoccupied house, in Byerley Road, Shildon, on April 28. 

Durham Crown Court heard officers attended and found 50 sealed 1kg bags of cannabis in the loft space. 

Collectively a total of £60,000 was also found in the packages, while, separately, one of the four men present had £400 and the other £300. 

The cannabis recovered could have fetched £225,000 in a bulk purchase, or £500,000 if sold in individual deals. 

The four men, Albanian citizens who are illegally present in Great Britain, have no previous criminal record against them in this country. 

Klodian Cela, 35, 41-year-old Leonard Cela, 23-year-old Medulaj and the fourth accused, Alfred Hoxha, 27, admitted possessing a class B drug with intent to supply and possessing proceeds of crime.