A HUGE cannabis farm worth a maximum of £317,000 was being managed by an illegal immigrant above a popular former fish and chip shop in Warrington town centre, a court heard.

Edison Alzeneli, of no fixed address in Warrington, appeared in Liverpool Crown Court this morning, Monday, after he pleaded guilty to producing cannabis.

The 20-year-old was caught growing the class B drug above 39 Winwick Street, formerly Mike and Martha's Fish and Chip Shop.

A total of 321 plants were discovered inside the propertyA total of 321 plants were discovered inside the property (Image: Cheshire Police)

When police raided the property on June 22, they a total of 321 cannabis plants ranging in maturity, alongside growth hormones for the plants.

Upon further investigation, the police also found that the electricity meter for the property had been tampered with to ensure that the bills incurred by the operation were not being paid for, although it was noted this was not done by Alzeneli.

Alzeneli, who is an illegal immigrant from Albania, was being used to tend to the plants for other people and was staying inside the property.

The plants ranged in maturity, including some that were fully grown The plants ranged in maturity, including some that were fully grown (Image: Cheshire Police)

The court heard that Alzeneli had travelled by boat to the UK two years ago in search of work but struggled to find employment due to arriving illegally so instead became part of the drug operation on Winwick Street.

The prosecution for the case, Mr Hussey, told the court that the plants seized by the police could have created a yield of between nine and 27 kilograms.

It was also heard that, depending on the type of sale, the total value of the drugs could be between £36,000 to £317,000.

The estimated value of the plants is a maximum of £317,000The estimated value of the plants is a maximum of £317,000 (Image: Cheshire Police)

Defending Alzeneli, Mr Smith informed the judge that the 20-year-old ‘wishes to return home to his family as soon as possible’.

“You weren’t under pressure, no one was making threats, and your conditions were perfectly habitable – there was food available for you and you could come and go as you wished,” said His Honour Judge Andrew Menary KC.

“You felt if you were going to remain here this was one of the limited choices you had, but you did have choices, you could have returned home to Albania.”

Alzeneli was sentenced to 12 months immediate imprisonment.