An Albanian migrant who entered Britain hidden in a lorry will walk free from prison after being caught managing a £30,000 cannabis factory in the Midlands.
From homelessness to cannabis cultivation
Hysen Xhakolli, 23, spent two weeks watering cannabis plants at a property in Stoke-on-Trent in exchange for basic food and accommodation while homeless, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard.
The court was told how Xhakolli travelled from London to the Midlands specifically to tend to the illegal crop after meeting a fellow Albanian who offered him the work opportunity.
Appalling conditions and no payment
Prosecutor Alison Whalley revealed that police discovered 30 cannabis plants at an address on Grangewood Road in Meir during the operation earlier this year.
"He was involved in taking care of 30 cannabis plants which were found at an address in Grangewood Road, Meir," Ms Whalley stated. "At the time he was homeless and was looking after the cannabis plants in return for food and accommodation."
Defence lawyer Devon Small described the accommodation as "appalling" and confirmed his client received no financial payment for his work, only receiving basic necessities.
Fleeing trouble in Albania
The court heard compelling background about why Xhakolli risked entering Britain illegally for the second time. Mr Small explained that Xhakolli's father owed money to multiple people in Albania, leading to the young man being targeted and forced to flee his home country.
"There were problems in Albania which is why he came back," Mr Small told the court. "His father owes money to a number of people and he was targeted so he came back to the UK in the back of a lorry."
This marked the second time Xhakolli had entered Britain illegally via lorry, having first arrived in 2020 before returning to Albania, only to make the dangerous journey again in 2024.
Immediate release ordered
Judge Richard McConaghy acknowledged Xhakolli's limited role in the larger drug operation, noting that the prosecution accepted he was acting under the direction of others and played a much smaller part than other individuals involved.
"The prosecution tell me that your role was to look after the crop in one of the factories," Judge McConaghy said during sentencing. "They accept you were doing that for no financial reward but for accommodation and food at a point in time when you were homeless."
Xhakolli, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to production of a class B drug and received a three-month prison sentence. However, having already spent six months and 11 days on remand, he is expected to be released immediately from custody.
The judge highlighted that this case formed part of a "wider conspiracy" involving multiple cannabis factories across Stoke-on-Trent, with one more heavily involved individual previously receiving a four-and-a-half year prison sentence.
