A Midlands drug farmer has been sentenced to prison after being caught cultivating cannabis and breaching a deportation order. Festim Ahmetaj, 35, now faces being removed from the United Kingdom following a police raid on his cannabis farm.
Arrest and Conviction
Ahmetaj was arrested on Wednesday, April 1, after a warrant was executed by the Task Force and Droitwich Safer Neighbourhood Team. He appeared before Worcester Crown Court on Thursday, April 30, where he was convicted of cultivating a class B drug, cannabis, and knowingly entering the UK in breach of a deportation order.
Sentence and Penalties
Ahmetaj, of Victoria Square, Droitwich, received a 24-month prison sentence for the first offence and a concurrent 10-month sentence for the second. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228. The court mandated the forfeiture and destruction of cannabis plants and growing equipment, as well as the forfeiture of £300 cash.
West Mercia Police confirmed that notice has been given to the Border and Immigration Agency regarding Ahmetaj's potential deportation.
Police Statement
Safer Neighbourhood Inspector for Droitwich, Lisa Hornberger, stated: “We are pleased to swiftly get a custodial sentence for Ahmetaj following our warrant at the address in Victoria Square last month. Cannabis grows like this are often linked to organised criminal gangs and this is another one shut down and the ‘farmer’ behind bars. Ahmetaj also breached a deportation order so he ultimately faces being thrown out of the UK pending a decision by the Border and Immigration Agency.”
The successful operation highlights the ongoing efforts of local police to disrupt drug-related crime and enforce immigration laws.
