Man found hiding in roof jailed over cannabis factory

A man who was discovered hiding in a roof space has been jailed for his role in a large cannabis factory in Brandon.

Police raided an address in Twickenham Avenue on Monday 28th July and uncovered 1,209 cannabis plants being cultivated inside the property.

Arben Meta, 24, of no fixed address, was found concealed in a box within the roof lining when officers searched the building. He was arrested at the scene and later charged with cultivating cannabis.

Meta was also detained on suspicion of assault with intent to resist arrest and assaulting a police officer. He was released under investigation for those matters while enquiries continue.

Appearing before Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday 27th August, Meta pleaded guilty to producing cannabis. He was sentenced to 14 months in prison and ordered to pay a £187 victim surcharge.

Detective Chief Inspector Greg Moore said: “This conviction is the result of the discovery of a substantial grow, after police acted on intelligence from the community.

“This was an operation on an industrial scale, and the sentence demonstrates that the courts will not tolerate this type of offending.”

A second man, Arlina Laci, 37, of Sugden Way, Barking, was also arrested in connection with the incident. He was later charged with cultivating cannabis but pleaded not guilty. Laci has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Ipswich Crown Court on 15th January.