Lorenc Mata, 27, was found tending to more than 500 cannabis plants worth £400,000 in a "sophisticated" operation which saw plants in all stages of growth. Following his arrest, the gardener later absconded and was not brought to justice for almost two years.
Arrest at Newport industrial unit
Mata was found working at a cannabis factory in Newport after police executed a raid at premises in Newport on November 4, 2024. They could smell cannabis coming from an industrial unit in Clevedon Road, and upon entering they heard people jumping a fence and running away.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday heard Mata was detained and arrested.
574 plants recovered
Police recovered a total of 574 cannabis plants from the warehouse in different stages of growth, suggesting a repeated and rolling harvest cycle, spread across 10 rooms.
Prosecutor Hywel Davies said the plants were capable of producing a potential yield between 16kg and 49kg. The drugs were said to have a street value between £161,000 and £482,000.
Guilty plea and sentence
After his initial arrest and appearance in court, Mata absconded but he was subsequently rearrested.
Mr Davies said: "It was professional and sophisticated in set up with a significant amount of equipment including lights, heat, water, food and fertiliser."
Mata, of Lime Walk, Oxford, later pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of a class B drug. The court heard he is of previous good character.
In mitigation, Alice Sykes said her client played a lesser role in the operation and was acting as a gardener. The defendant is an Albanian national and his visa for the UK has now run out.
Judge Christopher Felstead sentenced Mata to a total of two years imprisonment. The judge said it is likely the defendant will be deported at the end of his sentence.
