Illegal immigrants are jailed for running huge cannabis factory hidden inside disused city centre Poundland

• Denis Voka, 24, and Gjediku Kadri, 41, were sentenced to 33 months each
• Police had found £430,000 worth of cannabis plants in a disused Poundland 
• Both men were warned they were now facing potential deportation 

Two men who ran a huge cannabis factory inside a derelict Poundland in Worcester city centre have been jailed for a combined total of more than five years.

Police found more than 500 plants, worth more than £430,000, after staff at neighbouring shops began complaining about the smell coming from the empty store.

Denis Voka, 24, and Gjediku Kadri, 41, were arrested on suspicion of cannabis production following the discovery. 

A court heard that the pair were found covered in mud hiding underneath the building’s emergency fire exit staircase.

Both men were in the U.K. illegally and are now facing deportation after they pleaded guilty to producing a class B drug.

Worcester Crown Court heard that Denis Voka, 24, had come to the U.K. on the promise of job opportunities that did not materialise 

Gjediku Kadri, 41, had become involved in cannabis cultivation as he was desperate for money and did not have the documentation to get a legitimate job, the court was told

The disused Poundland in Worcester town centre had been empty since 2020 

Voka and Kadri, both of no fixed abode, were jailed for 33 months each at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday. The court heard that they had been involved in production between April 1 and June 6, 2023.

The judge warned that the pair were now facing potential deportation, but added: ‘That is a matter for the Home Office.’ 

Shoppers and staff working in stores nearby said they had reported a strong smell of cannabis coming from the abandoned Poundland, which had closed in 2020. 

The court heard police executed a drugs warrant at the premises of the former bargain shop at 9.25am on June 6.

After forcing the door open, police found the old shop floor empty except for ongoing building work. There was, however, ‘considerable resistance’ upstairs with it taking over five minutes for officers to open two metal doors locked from the inside. 

Officers found a ‘significant cannabis cultivation’ with 500 plans, artificial light, ventilation, and other drug paraphernalia

500 plants, valued at more than £430,000, were discovered by police during a raid on June 6

Police were called after after staff at neighbouring complained about the smell emanating from the empty Poundland 

Both men were warned that they could face potential deportation, although the judge said that: ‘This is a matter for the Home Office’ 

Officers found a ‘significant cannabis cultivation’ with 500 plans, artificial light, ventilation, and other drug paraphernalia.

Police also found a kitchen area with a significant amount of food stores there, along with two bedroom areas where Voka and Kadri had slept. 

The court heard that Kadri had become involved in cannabis cultivation as he was desperate for money. It heard that he was an illegal immigrant and did not have the documentation to get a legitimate job. 

The court was also told that Voka said he had come to the U.K. on the promise of job opportunities which did not materialise. 

After sleeping rough in Birmingham, he was approached by some Albanian men who offered him a job, food, shelter, and to pay off his debts. This ‘job’ turned out to be as a cannabis gardener. 

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