Three Albanian Men Jailed for Major Cannabis Operation in Scotland

Three men from Albania have been sentenced to prison for operating one of the largest cannabis farms ever encountered by a judge in the United Kingdom. Elton Skenderi, aged 29, Gjovalin Toma, 31, and Eduard Daja, 39, were arrested for cultivating cannabis in the abandoned Irvine Forum shopping centre in North Ayrshire, Scotland. The operation aimed to distribute the class B drug throughout central Scotland.

During a police raid in September 2024, authorities discovered an astonishing 3,058 cannabis plants valued between £600,000 and £1.8 million. The extensive scale of the operation prompted Judge Lord Mulholland to remark, “I don’t think I have ever seen so many cannabis plants in one place.”

Details of the Sentencing

At the High Court in Glasgow on August 6, 2024, all three men pleaded guilty to charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act. In addition to drug charges, Daja admitted to breaching a deportation order that had been enacted in July 2023 after a previous conviction for cannabis production at Leeds Crown Court.

Lord Mulholland characterized their actions as “criminality on an industrial scale,” emphasizing the serious nature of their operation. Speaking through Albanian interpreters, he stated, “You were running a cannabis factory to flood central Scotland with cannabis.” He further noted, “You have all come here to receive the benefits available from living in the United Kingdom and this is how you treat this country.”

The judge specifically addressed Daja, highlighting the gravity of his previous deportation, stating, “You should not have been in this country.”

Defense Claims and Court Findings

Defence attorney Laura Ann Radcliffe, representing Skenderi, argued that her client was coerced into participating in the operation. She claimed he had met a group of men in Germany who promised him work in the UK. Radcliffe explained that upon arrival, Skenderi found himself in debt to these men, leading him to manage the cannabis plantation as a means of repayment.

Despite these claims, Judge Mulholland pointed out that there was “no evidence” to support that Skenderi was a victim of human trafficking or modern slavery. Radcliffe agreed with the judge’s assessment, acknowledging the lack of supporting evidence for her client’s defense.

Following the proceedings, Skenderi received a sentence of five years and three months in prison, while Toma was sentenced to six years. Daja received a six-year sentence for his role in the cannabis operation, in addition to a consecutive nine-month sentence for violating the deportation order.

The three men, dressed in identical grey fleeces, displayed no visible emotion as the sentences were handed down. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges related to cannabis cultivation and trafficking in the UK.