Lewisham cannabis farmer jailed for six months

Arjan Bregaj has been sentenced to six months imprisonment after being discovered tending a cannabis farm in Lewisham. Police found 83 cannabis plants at the property on June 26, following intelligence reports. Bregaj, 42, pleaded guilty to producing a controlled drug at Woolwich Crown Court.

Smuggling debt motive

The court heard that Bregaj was acting as a gardener for the operation and had no involvement in the wider conspiracy. He told authorities that he was attempting to repay a debt of €10,000, approximately £8,606, incurred for being smuggled into the UK. He stated this debt needed to be paid within three months, leading him to make poor decisions.

Recorder Clodaghmuire Callinan, who sentenced Bregaj, acknowledged his vulnerability, stating, "Your vulnerability was exploited, that vulnerability was you being in the country illegally." Bregaj expressed remorse and indicated a desire to work in the construction industry once he has the right to work in the UK.

As Bregaj has already spent three months in custody on remand, he is likely to be released immediately from his six-month sentence.