Million pound cannabis factory raided in former city centre nightclub

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Million pound cannabis factory raided in former city centre nightclub

Postby dutchman » Sat Oct 17, 2020 4:33 pm

Three men were arrested during the raid

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A massive cannabis factory has been uncovered inside a former nightclub in Coventry city centre.

Officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) raided the venue in Trinity Street on Thursday (October 15), smashing through reinforced doors to gain access into the former club.

Inside, some 1,000 cannabis plants were discovered, spread out over three floors.

According to the NCA, the value of the grow is an estimated £1 million and has been described as "one of the largest grows ever uncovered by the NCA".

What's more, around £150,000 worth of equipment relating to the illicit operation was also seized.

During the raid, two men are believed to have fled the building - before being captured, with assistance from West Midlands Police's drone unit.

In total, three men were arrested, and all have subsequently been charged with production of a class B drug.

Albanian national Andi Qani, 24, and Vietnamese national Cao Van Vu, 31, appeared before Coventry Magistrates' Court on Friday (October 16) where they were remanded in custody until their next court appearance at Warwick Crown Court on November 12.

The third man, Albanian national Adrian Lieshaj, was found to be wanted by German authorities for robbery offences and is the subject of a European Arrest Warrant.

The 28-year-old was taken to Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday (October 16) in order for the extradition matter to be heard.

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Re: Million pound cannabis factory raided in former city centre nightclub

Postby dutchman » Tue Jun 29, 2021 6:38 pm

Trio jailed for running £1million cannabis farm in Coventry nightclub

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Three men have been jailed for running a three-floor cannabis farm in an abandoned Coventry nightclub.

Police officers had to break through several reinforced doors to find the farm when they raided the property in Trinity Street on October 15, 2020.

The National Crime Agency, who carried out the investigation, said it was "the largest and most sophisticated cannabis factory" they had ever seen.

The haul they found was around 1,500 cannabis plants and valued at more than £1 million, along with £150,000 of planting, growing and irrigation equipment.

Two Albanian nationals Andi Cani, 24, and Adrian Lleshaj, 29, attempted to hide on the roof of the building when they saw officers enter, but were captured with the help of the West Midlands Police drone unit.

Another man, 31-year-old Vietnamese national Cao Van Vu, was also arrested.

The trio pleaded guilty to producing a controlled drug and today, a judge at Warwick Crown Court sentenced Vu to 40 months in prison, Lleshaj to 35 months, and Cani to 28 months.

In interviews with National Crime Agency officers, all three men admitted paying people smugglers to assist them in entering the UK illegally.

All three will face deportation on the completion of their sentence.

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Re: Million pound cannabis factory raided in former city centre nightclub

Postby rebbonk » Tue Jun 29, 2021 7:08 pm

All three will face deportation on the completion of their sentence.
That should be mandatory. :fuming:
Of course it'll fit; you just need a bigger hammer.
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