Cannabis Operation Discovered in Derelict Bank; Farmer Sentenced

A significant cannabis cultivation operation was uncovered in a disused bank in Newton-le-Willows, England. On May 19, 2023, police arrested Saimir Gjoniku, a 32-year-old man found managing a grow house containing 359 cannabis plants valued at up to £452,000. The former Lloyds Bank branch on Bridge Street, which closed in 2022, served as an unlikely front for the illegal activity.

Intelligence received by Merseyside Police led to the investigation. Prosecutor Derek Jones informed the court that officers detected the strong odor of cannabis and the sound of fans operating inside the boarded-up building. Upon entering, they discovered extensive renovations and equipment indicative of a sophisticated growing operation.

Jones detailed that many of the rooms had been transformed to accommodate cannabis plants and associated gear. In addition, some plants had already been harvested, drying in the premises. The total estimated harvest could yield between 10 kg and 30 kg, translating to potential profits ranging from £40,000 to £452,000.

Inside the building, authorities found a makeshift living area for Gjoniku, complete with a bed situated in the kitchen. The prosecutor noted, “There did appear to be a fully stocked kitchen.” Gjoniku, who lacked a fixed address, was arrested on-site and later admitted to police that he was deeply in debt and felt compelled to cultivate cannabis.

During the court proceedings held on August 18, 2023, Gjoniku’s defense lawyer, Julian Nutter, argued that his client had been coerced into this illegal activity. Nutter described Gjoniku’s life as filled with misery, stating that he had previously held honest jobs but fell into a predicament involving debt and exploitation by organized crime.

The presiding judge, Mr. Recorder C E O’Leary, addressed Gjoniku directly, acknowledging the pressures he faced. “You were in the position of growing cannabis because you owed money to an organized crime group,” he stated. The judge noted that Gjoniku had a history of working in similar cannabis farms and expressed concerns about his potential for rehabilitation.

After weighing the circumstances, the judge determined that a custodial sentence was the only appropriate punishment. Gjoniku received an eight-month prison term at HMP Liverpool, with the judge highlighting the ongoing threat posed by organized crime.

This case sheds light on the complexities surrounding illegal cannabis operations and the individuals drawn into them through coercion and debt. The ongoing enforcement efforts by local police continue to target and dismantle such illicit activities across the region.