Arait Dishani, a 28-year-old Albanian national, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for producing cannabis at a £220,000 farm in Tipton. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that police raided an industrial unit at Imex Business Park in Fisher Street, Dudley Port, in November 2025, following a tip-off. Officers discovered Dishani hiding inside the factory and seized 220 cannabis plants across five rooms.
Second Conviction for Cannabis Cultivation
This is Dishani's second conviction for cultivating cannabis in the UK. He was previously jailed for nine months at Leicester Crown Court in October 2024 and released in February 2025. The repeat offending was a key factor in the latest sentencing, with the court noting his prior record.
When questioned about his presence at the unit, Dishani told police: "I'm staying". He claimed he was involved in the operation to support his mother's medical bills back in Albania. The court heard that Dishani has already approached immigration services about returning to Albania, expressing a desire to leave the UK.
Defence Claims No Lavish Lifestyle
Defence lawyer Skaal Sidhu argued: "This was not a case of him making great amounts of money for a lavish lifestyle." The court heard there was clearly a wider operation at play, with Dishani's role appearing to be limited within a larger enterprise. Despite this, the judge imposed a 27-month custodial sentence for the production of cannabis.
The raid at Imex Business Park took place in November 2025, with police acting on intelligence about the illegal operation. The 220 plants found in five rooms represented a significant commercial cultivation setup, valued at approximately £220,000. The scale of the operation and Dishani's previous conviction were central to the sentencing decision.
Immigration Status and Next Steps
Dishani, who has no fixed address, remains in custody following the sentencing at Wolverhampton Crown Court. His stated intention to return to Albania and his contact with immigration services will be considered as part of any deportation proceedings. The case highlights the ongoing issue of illegal cannabis farms in industrial units across the West Midlands, with police continuing to act on public tip-offs to dismantle such operations.
