AN asylum seeker who had only recently entered Britain from Albania agreed to be a “gardener” at a Powys cannabis factory after he was promised £10,000.

Dino Marku, 39, was found “hiding behind boxes” when police executed a search warrant at the former County Times offices in Welshpool town centre on January 9 this year.

The building, located down a passageway next door to Greggs, had been disused since the County Times moved to a new premises in Welshpool during lockdown.

It had been turned into a cannabis farm – inside which police discovered 246 plants, worth an estimated £258,000.

Marku, who admitted being concerned in the production of cannabis when he appeared at Mold Magistrates’ Court just two days after his arrest, was jailed for 18 months at Mold Crown Court on Friday, March 8.

“On January 9 officers executed a search warrant at the old County Times offices; they found the defendant hiding behind some boxes,” said prosecutor Philip Clemo.

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“Inside, there were three grow rooms. They were insulated and equipped with lights, air filters and fans. It appeared the plants were being watered by hand.

“In total 246 plants were recovered. They had an estimated street value of between £86,100 and £258,300.

“The defendant was the only person present and it was clear he spoke very little English.”

Upon searching Marku’s mobile phone officers could see he’d been monitoring security cameras positioned at the front of the building.

“He was interviewed and said he’d been hired as gardener and promised £10,000 at the end of the grow,” added Mr Clemo.

“He said he hadn’t been coerced, he had been provided with food and was able to contact his family regularly. It was clear he was being directed, and his was not a management function.”

County Times: Police cordoned off the alley way leading to Broad Street from Puzzle Square on Wednesday. Inside, police discovered 246 plants, worth an estimated £258,000. Police cordoned off the alley way leading to Broad Street from Puzzle Square on Wednesday. Inside, police discovered 246 plants, worth an estimated £258,000. (Image: Anwen Parry/Powys County Times)

Mr Clemo said Marku, who had been on remand at HMP Berwyn since his arrest and appeared at Friday’s hearing via videolink, had no previous convictions.

Alexa Carrier, defending Marku, of no fixed abode, said her client had only been in the country for a short period before being approached for the job, with the promise of there being a hiring position available to him afterwards.

“The defendant was not the brains behind the operation,” said Ms Carrier.

“He was vulnerable by the way he entered the UK and the position he put himself in. Upon arrival he made an asylum claim, but he has still had no response to it.

“This is a classic case of a gardener being exploited through his vulnerability in society, by the way he entered the country.”

She added: “He was simply looking after the plants and watering them.

“In these cases there is often a promise of financial benefit which almost certainly never materialises. It is a promise made to vulnerable people in an attempt to get them to become gardeners.

“Your honour has read about his children and family back in Albania. There was no attempt to deny the offences or not assist. It was just the opposite, and he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

“I can only ask you to make the sentence as short as you are able.”

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Judge Timothy Petts told Marku: “It would have taken a lot of work to set up the building to grow all this cannabis.

“It would have made someone a lot of money, although I accept you would not have shared in the overall profit.

“But you did have an expectation of significant financial reward. There was a prospect of you receiving £10,000 which allowed you to agree to be involved.

“You did it more for the money rather than being forced or coerced.

“You will be deported during or at the end of your sentence,” said Judge Petts, who ordered the forfeiture and destruction of all drug equipment and the mobile phone.