Police video arrest of illegal migrant over cannabis farm above chippy

As reported by the Warrington Guardian yesterday, Monday, Edison Alzeneli was locked up for growing the class B controlled drug in a flat above the now-closed Mike and Martha's Fish and Chip Shop.

Inside the premises, Cheshire Police uncovered a huge cannabis farm, comprising of 321 plants worth up to £317,000.

Now, officers have released bodyworn camera footage of the 20-year-old’s arrest, as well as advise as to what residents can do should they believe they know where a cannabis farm is being operated.

The footage shows Alzeneli claiming he can only speak a little English, with the Albanian national having illegally crossed the English Channel on a small boat two years ago.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how he struggled to find employment due to arriving illegally, so instead he became part of the drug operation at the Winwick Street property.

When police raided the property on June 22 this year, they found the plants ranging in maturity, alongside growth hormones.

A propagator in the kitchen was found to contain 117 cannabis plants, while the second floor had 42 bags of soil and a further 204 plants at various stages of growth, spread across two rooms that had been converted to grow cannabis plants on an industrial scale.

Upon further investigation, it was 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, arrested in the living room of the property, claimed he was tending to the plants for other people and was staying inside the property, and that he wishes to return home to his family as soon as possible.

Having admitted production of cannabis and abstracting electricity, Alzeneli, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 12 months immediate imprisonment.

The sentence was welcomed by PC Jen Harrison, who said: “This is a great result which has enabled us to remove a significant quantity of cannabis from Warrington's streets.

Edison Alzeneli was tending to plants at the cannabis farm (Image: Cheshire Police)

“This address had been converted into a sophisticated cannabis farm, with specialist lighting and ventilation systems to maximise the amount of class B drugs being cultivated inside.

“In total, we believe that the building contained well over 300 cannabis plants at various stages of growth, which will all now be destroyed.

“We would urge anyone who has any concerns regarding the production or supply of illegal substances to visit cheshire.police.uk/tell-us or call Cheshire Police on 101.”

The force says 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 or strong and constant lighting, day and night.

Other indicators include growing equipment being taken into a property, such as lighting and ventilators, constantly covered or blocked-off windows, people coming and going at all hours or neighbours you never see.

High levels of heat and condensation, a constant buzz of ventilation and lots of power cables are additional tell-tale signs.