A CANNABIS factory discovered in Wokingham was unearthed at an industrial estate in Finchampstead – with a business unit 'sophisticatedly' used to grow plants.

The operation at Hogwood Industrial Estate had a potential crop yield of £2,000,000.

A hearing at Reading Crown Court was told the factory had "a substantial amount of cannabis plants."

On October 17, 2020 at about 12.30am, a member of the public contacted police about a vehicle acting suspiciously in the Hogwood Industrial Estate in Finchampstead.

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When they arrived, officers found a vehicle parked there but without anyone inside it. Officers searched the area and found a locked business unit where noises could be heard inside as well as a distinctive smell emanating from it.

They gained entry and found a substantial amount of cannabis plants.

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They also located Prendi and Biba within the unit and arrested them. They were charged the following day on October 18.

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On Friday, September 24, Albanian nationals Marjan Prendi, 27, and Ilir Biba, 38 of no fixed abode, were each sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

They had both pleaded guilty to a count each of producing a class B drug at a hearing at the same court on 30 July.

In custody, both defendants claimed to be victims of modern slavery but a thorough police investigation proved this to be untrue, resulting in them pleading guilty to the offences before a trial was heard.

Investigating officer, PC James Greehy, based at Loddon Valley police station, said: “This was a well-organised and sophisticated cannabis plantation set up for commercial gain.

“From the crops seized, the potential turnover of the plantation was estimated to be in the region of £2m, directly going into the hands of organised crime groups.

“Throughout the investigation both Prendi and Biba attempted to distance their involvement, claiming they were being forced to work there but that they didn’t know by whom, and I am glad the Judge was able to see through these false claims.”