Man pleads guilty to running Widnes Cannabis farm

A man has pleaded guilty to running a cannabis farm in Widnes.

Pajtim Oruci appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday 21 January where he admitted production of Class B drugs (Cannabis).

The 32-year-old of Hale Road, Widnes, has been remanded in custody and is set to be sentenced on Tuesday 11 March at Liverpool Crown Court.

The court heard how one Monday 23 December 2024, officers from Widnes Local Policing Unit executed a warrant at an address on Hale Road following reports of suspicious activity in the area.

Upon entering the building officers found that the premises had been converted into a professional cannabis farm, with plants growing in the living room, two bedrooms and the loft.

While searching the address officers also located Oruci, who was found watering some of the plants in one of the rooms. He was subsequently arrested in relation to the discovery.

In total officers recovered 103 plants from the address, with a potential street value of up to £104,740.

Following the hearing, Chief Inspector Daniel Haddock said:

“I welcome the guilty plea by Oruci and I hope that it provides reassurance to the local community.

“The negative impact that illegal drugs have on our communities are well known and were committed to doing all that we can to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions and our ongoing battle against those who are involved in the production and supply of illegal drugs continues.

“I urge anyone with any information about suspected drug related activity in their community to get in touch. You will be listened to, and we will investigate the matter.”

There are a number 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.

To report a suspected cannabis farm or any other type of drug-related offence, call us 101, give the details via our website or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.