Four men have been jailed after Cumbria Police shut down a cannabis farm where they seized over 800 plants.

The men were sentenced yesterday, Tuesday, August 8, to over five and a half years, in total, after they were arrested in April.

• Andi Kola, 30, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for the production of cannabis.
• Edi Cepele, 28, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for the production of cannabis.
• Erjo Cepele, 28, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for the production of cannabis.
• Mikel Xhafa, 19, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 14 months in a young offender institute for the production of cannabis.

Officers discovered the farm after carrying out a misuse of drugs act warrant on April 1, 2023, on Abbey Road in Barrow. This was a disused commercial property.

Upon entering the property, officers found Edi Capele, Kola and Xhafa in a living area. Erjo Capele was located at the rear of the property after attempting to evade police.

Within the building officers located 180 fully grown cannabis plants, 500 small plants, 181 drying plants and 18 vacuum bags ready for distribution or collection.

The seizure and investigation form part of Operation Alliance – Cumbria Constabulary’s ongoing response to protect the county against serious and organised crime.

Detective Constable Ashlynne Elliot said: “This was a large-scale, professional set-up in the middle of Barrow.

“We welcome the sentences handed out yesterday and hope anyone tempted to become involved in such a criminal enterprise takes note.

“Our investigations into drugs crime relies on intelligence and information. We would urge anyone who has seen or knows of anything suspicious to contact the police”.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or report online via http://www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.