A hastily abandoned toothbrush led to the capture of an illegal Albanian immigrant who jumped out of a top floor window when police raided a cannabis factory.
Amarildo Huba, 20, had been employed as a gardener in the huge commercial operation in Warrington in Cheshire to pay off his illegal entry into the UK.
He was the only occupant when police smashed their way into the three storey premises at 9am on March 19 last year and he leapt out the window and vanished.
But Liverpool Crown Court heard today that as well as the 519 viable mature cannabis plants found growing on all three floors, forensic examination revealed Huba’s DNA on his toothbrush.
Chris Taylor, prosecuting, said that the young man’s fingerprint was also found on a lighting unit in the sophisticated operation and he was arrested in Manchester on February 18 this year.
Huba, who had been living at the factory in Rusgan House in Barbauld Street in Bewsey and Whitecross, told police he had been doing some work moving furniture around there.
‘He said he had taken his toothbrush to use on the recommendation of his dentist.’
In interview he denied involvement in producing cannabis but later pleaded guilty to the offence and today was sentenced to 15 months detention.
In his basis of plea he said he had travelled to the UK illegally and had to repay his £6,000 debt for facilitating his entry.
‘In order to pay off this debt he was instructed to work as a gardener for a period of two months in the cannabis factory. He had been working at the property for three weeks.
‘Although he had not been threatened directly with violence by those who instructed him, the defendant was fearful if he did not undertake the work his family in Albania would be at risk of reprisals.’
Mr Taylor said that the plants could have produced 43.5 kilos of cannabis with a potential commercial value of £512,800.
Jim Smith, defending, said that Huba, of Roundthorn Road, Oldham, has no convictions, and was described in references from friends as an ‘upright character and role model, honest and reliable.’
The court heard that Huba, who appeared via video link from prison, has a caution in April last year from the City of London police for possessing cocaine with intent to supply.
Mr Smith said that Huba had ‘naively become involved’ in the cannabis growing operation and wished to return to Albania. ‘Though he credits his experience in the UK as complementing his life in the way he has made friends and got a partner who he hopes will join him in Albania.’
Judge Ian Harris said that Huba had been ‘voluntarily part of this business process albeit in the category as a gardener’
The plants were well tended and flourishing and the cannabis was being grown on a ‘huge scale,’ he added.
He said Huba came to the UK in 2022 illegally and had worked but did not earn enough to pay off his debt. ‘You will inevitably be deported at the point of release and I know you will welcome that,’ he added.