Cannabis farmer jailed after plants found above Swindon kebab shop

Acting on a tipoff from members of the public, Wiltshire Police officers raided the Bridge Street flat on Thursday and discovered over 200 cannabis plants being grown there.

As a result, Klodjan Tabaku, 37, was arrested and subsequently charged with the production of cannabis.

He appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Friday where he was convicted of the offence and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment.

The cananbis was being grown in a flat above Supreme Donner Kebab (Image: Newsquest)

PC Paul Bezzant from the Swindon Town Centre Neighbourhood Team said: “This case illustrates just how crucial community intelligence is to us. If you spot something suspicious, you should contact us immediately because, as this case proves, we will take quick and decisive action against those breaking the law.

“Cannabis factories, like this one, not only produce illegal drugs we know are linked to other types of criminality, but they pose significant fire risks. In this case, Tabaku had bypassed the electricity meter and the electrical circuits were overloaded.

“I hope this case sends a clear message to those involved in the production and distribution of illegal drugs in our community.

"Within 24 hours of us locating this cannabis factory, the perpetrator had been sent to prison and the drugs destroyed."

This was the third cannabis factory discovered in the town within the last week and  a half

Last week the former Town Mobile shop on Regent Street was raided and police discovered 300 plants inside. 

A few days after this, another cannabis farm was found inside a home in the residential Toothill area, with neighbours reporting a police presence there for over a day. 

Police have not confirmed whether the three farms are linked in any way.

Each cannabis plant is thought to be worth £400 to £1,000 depending on the quality, which means that the Bridge Street factory could be worth something in the region of £180,000-£200,000.

Anyone who sees anything suspicious in their neighbourhood should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers where information can be left anonymously on 0800 555 111.