Cannabis farmer hid in loft for eight hours

A man who hid from police for eight hours in a loft under a roof beam has been jailed for growing a "large-scale cannabis factory".

Viktor Ymeralilaj, 31, was found hiding in a derelict former registry office on Park Green in the centre of Macclesfield on Monday 19 January.

After officers discovered fully grown cannabis plants at the property they used a thermal heat gun to find Ymeralilaj crouched in the loft, Cheshire Police said.

On Wednesday at Chester Crown Court, Ymeralilaj pleaded guilty to the cultivation of cannabis and was jailed for 16 months.

When officers arrived at the premises they found a building which had been boarded up for some time, making access inside the property considerably difficult, the force said.

Once they had got inside the building, officers located four separate rooms on the ground alone floor containing fully grown cannabis plants.

When the police moved deeper into the property they said "it became clear" the building had been converted into a large-scale cannabis factory and that a number of people had been living there.

They found fresh food items inside a kitchen area, several beds, a washing machine, and items of clothing hung up and drying.

After he was arrested Ymeralilaj told officers he had been held at the cannabis farm against his will by two men who employed him to feed and water the plants.

However, despite his protests, he was subsequently charged with the offence.

"The uncovering of several food items within the kitchen area that were still very much in date proved that someone had definitely been out and done their shop very recently," said Constable David Noon, from Cheshire Police.

"We estimate the approximate street value of the cannabis we found to be worth upwards of £175,000.

"That cannabis has now been destroyed and the closure of this large‑scale operation will deal a considerable blow to the local drug trade, which I welcome."

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