A 42-year-old man has been jailed for six months after a sniffer dog found him hiding behind a fake wall on a cannabis farm. Albert Hysaj pleaded guilty to producing cannabis and was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday after police discovered 313 cannabis plants at a commercial property in Aberbargoed, Caerphilly county, in May.
How was Albert Hysaj found?
Gwent Police said Hysaj was caught after a police dog named Asko located him inside the property on the Bowen Industrial Estate. Officers found him hiding behind a fake wall in the building, which was made up of two linked units across three rooms.
The site also included a living area with a kitchen and bathroom, indicating it was being used as a cannabis factory as well as accommodation. The discovery of the plants led to the dismantling of the illegal operation.
What did police say about the operation?
Insp Laura Paget said the seizure helped disrupt wider criminal activity linked to cannabis production.
"Every cannabis factory we dismantle helps disrupt these illegal operations, which can often be linked to sophisticated organised crime groups.
"Hysaj tried his best to hide from officers inside the building but he could not evade PD [police dog] Asko."
Police found the 313 plants in May during the search of the commercial property on the Bowen Industrial Estate in Aberbargoed. Hysaj was later brought before Cardiff Crown Court, where he admitted producing cannabis and was sentenced on Friday.
What was found inside the property?
Gwent Police discovered 313 cannabis plants spread across two linked units in three rooms. The premises included a living area with a kitchen and bathroom, suggesting the site was being used as both a growing operation and a place to stay.
Hysaj, aged 42, was prosecuted after police found him concealed behind a fake wall. The case formed part of ongoing efforts by Gwent Police to target commercial cannabis factories and the organised crime groups that may be involved in running them.
