Trio sentenced to over 12 years for cannabis growing operation

Officers from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit raided a house on Wakefield Road in September 2016 and discovered a sophisticated growing operation.

In total they discovered 561 cannabis plants which were taking up four of the rooms in the three-bedroomed house.

It is estimated that the plants could have had a street value of between £134,640 and £471,240

As a result of the raid officers arrested and subsequently charged Lyndon Hudson, 39, of Servia Gardens, Leeds, Shkelzen Shaqiri, 36 of Grange Avenue, North Finchley and Ilvir Ylli, 35 of Welland Road, Peterborough with conspiracy to produce Class B drugs between May 25 2016 and September 26 2016.

Hudson and Shkelzen admitted the charges at Leeds Crown Court and Ylli was found guilty on Friday April 20.

Hudson also admitted conspiracy to supply Cannabis, with 5kg of the drug seized from a car, and possession of criminal property after being arrested with £15,000 on his person.

Det Chief Insp Warren Stevenson of the Protective Services (Crime) Department, said: “Illegal drugs bring misery to the communities we protect and serve. These three were behind a sophisticated growing operation which was looking to put such illegal drugs out into the community.

“That cannabis has now been destroyed and the three men have a considerable amount of time inside to consider the consequences of their actions.”

All three were sentenced on Tuesday May 8.

• Lyndon Hudson was sentenced to 63 months imprisonment for conspiracy to produce class B controlled drugs. He received 8 months for the conspiracy to supply Cannabis, and 12 months for money laundering, both to be served concurrent to the 63 months.

• Shkelzen Shaqiri was sentenced to 38 months imprisonment.

• Ilvir Ylli was sentenced to four years imprisonment.