Man jailed after Crewe Police thwart town centre cannabis production

A 24-year-old man has been jailed following a warrant by Crewe Beat Team.

Gledis Mousaku, from Edleston Road in Crewe appeared at Chester Crown Court on 31 January and pleaded guilty to the production of Cannabis.

He was sentenced to six months in prison, the drugs and drug paraphernalia were ordered for destruction, and he had to pay a victim surcharge of £154.

The court heard how Crewe Beat Team, acting on information, executed a warrant at the address – a closed down takeaway on the ground floor, with a flat above.

Mousaku was living above the empty takeaway looking after the 95 plants which officers discovered on the second floor with lighting and other equipment needed to grow cannabis.

Mousaku admitted to producing cannabis but denied he had modified the flat and its electricity supply.

Following interview, he was later charged with producing cannabis.

PC Justin Taylor said:

“We understand the impact illegal drugs have on our community and will stop at nothing to disrupt the supply.

“I hope this latest result reassures you that we do listen and do take action. It’s vital we all work together to make Crewe too difficult for criminals to ply their trade.”

How to spot cannabis cultivation:

There are a number of signs that could indicate that a property is being used as a cannabis farm, including:

• A strong and sickly sweet smell.
• Equipment to grow cannabis being taken into a property, such as lighting and ventilation equipment.
• Constantly covered or blocked-off windows – cannabis farms often have constantly closed curtains, black-out blinds or foil coverings.
• People coming and going at all hours or neighbours you never see.
• Strong and constant lighting day and night.
• High levels of heat and condensation – cannabis farms often give off heat and the windows stay misted up.
• A constant buzz of ventilation – listen out for a whirring sound as the growers try to create an ideal climate for cannabis plants to grow.
• Lots of power cables – offenders often dig underground to lay cables that hook up to things like lamp posts so they do not have to pay for the enormous amounts of electricity they use.

Anyone with information on illegal drug activity should contact Cheshire Police on 101 or via the website.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.