Three Albanian nationals have received substantial prison sentences after operating what a High Court judge described as one of the most extensive cannabis farms he had witnessed in over four decades of legal practice.

Moreover, Elton Skenderi, 29, Gjovalin Toma, 31, and Eduard Daja, 39, face these consequences following police discovery of their cannabis farm in the former Irvine Forum shopping centre in North Ayrshire. Furthermore, prosecutors described how the disused retail space had become an “industrial scale” cannabis cultivation facility.

Record-Breaking Cannabis Farm Discovery

During a raid in September 2024, police uncovered 3,058 cannabis plants within the abandoned shopping centre. In addition, authorities estimated the illegal cultivation had a street value ranging between £600,000 and £1.8 million, representing a significant supply of the Class B drug destined for distribution throughout central Scotland.

Presiding over the case at Glasgow’s High Court, Lord Mulholland remarked: “I don’t think I have ever seen so many cannabis plants in one place.” Subsequently, the judge emphasised the unprecedented scale of the illegal drugs operation during sentencing proceedings on Wednesday.

Serious Criminal Enterprise

All three defendants pleaded guilty to offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act at an earlier hearing on 6 August. Meanwhile, the court heard how the men had established what Lord Mulholland characterised as “criminality on an industrial scale”, far exceeding typical small-scale cannabis cultivation.

“You were running a cannabis factory to flood central Scotland with cannabis,” the judge told the defendants through Albanian interpreters. “I have been in the law for over 40 years and I have never seen a cannabis farm as extensive as the one in this case.”

However, the case took a more serious turn with revelations about Eduard Daja’s criminal history. Previously, Leeds Crown Court had convicted Daja of cannabis production, and authorities subsequently deported him from the UK in July 2023. Nevertheless, his return to Britain and involvement in another major drug operation demonstrated a flagrant disregard for the law.

Rejected Trafficking Claims

Defence representatives attempted to present the men as potential victims of human trafficking and modern slavery. Specifically, Laura Ann Radcliffe, representing Skenderi, told the court her client had met individuals in Germany who promised him work in Britain but instead forced him into debt and demanded he manage the cannabis farm as repayment.

However, Lord Mulholland firmly rejected these claims, stating there was “no evidence” to support assertions of trafficking or slavery. “You are not in any way victims of human trafficking or human slavery,” he declared. “You are all running a cannabis farm, pure and simple.”

Substantial Prison Terms

Ultimately, the court imposed significant sentences reflecting the gravity of the offences. Consequently, Skenderi received five years and three months imprisonment, whilst Toma received a six-year sentence. Additionally, Daja received the longest term: six years for his role in the drug operation plus an additional nine months for breaching his deportation order, to be served consecutively.

Meanwhile, the three men, who appeared in court wearing identical grey fleeces, displayed no visible emotion as the judge announced their sentences.

Commitment to Community Safety

Moira Orr, who leads major crime prosecutions for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, praised the outcome: “These three individuals were cultivating and supplying illegal and harmful drugs on an industrial scale. However, they are now serving lengthy prison sentences thanks to an extensive police operation.”

Furthermore, she added that successful prosecutions of this nature help “reduce the harm that these drugs inflict on Scotland’s communities”, highlighting the wider impact of illegal drug production on public health and safety.

Similarly, Detective Inspector Jamie Carruth emphasised the devastating consequences of drug operations: “Drugs can have a devastating impact on our communities, and this significant recovery highlights our determination to getting these harmful substances off our streets and holding those involved in their supply accountable.”

In addition, police continue to urge members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity that might indicate cannabis cultivation in their areas, stressing that community information remains vital to dismantling drug supply networks.

Overall, the case serves as a stark reminder of the serious legal consequences facing those involved in large-scale drug production and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat organised crime affecting communities across Scotland.

Source: The Standard