TWO men have been sentenced to 14 months in prison for a large scale cannabis growing operation in Kempsey.
Leonard Kriashi, 33, of Clockhouse Parade Mansions, North Circular Road, London and Erald Sela, 24, of Bestmans Lane, Kempsey were both convicted of production of a class B drug (cannabis) at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday (March 12).
Their convictions follow a warrant executed by West Mercia Police at an outbuilding off Bestmans Lane, Kempsey on November 26, 2024.
A grow of approximately 1,500 plants was discovered by officers following concerns raised by National Grid over irregular power usage at the location.
Upon entry they discovered the mature plants and vacuum-packed crops growing in five rooms, together with horticultural growing products and multiple power transformers and sockets.
Officers arrested Kriashi and Sela who were sentenced after pleading guilty to the offences in January.
Safer Neighbourhood Inspector for Malvern, Dave Wise, said: “We are pleased to obtain convictions and custodial sentences for these two men following the warrant executed at the site in Kempsey last November.
“Large-scale cannabis grows such as this one are often tied to organised crime groups, whose activities fuel further criminality, including modern slavery. Tackling these operations is vital to protecting our communities and keeping them safe from harm.”
This investigation forms part of Operation Target, West Mercia Police’s work to tackle serious and organised crime with South Worcestershire Neighbourhood Crime Fighting Team (NCFT) and Malvern Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) executing the raid in Kempsey.
