Albert Hysaj (Image: Gwent Police)
Last Updated: 49 seconds ago
A Gwent Police dog has been credited with cornering a man who had built himself a false wall to hide behind inside a 313-plant cannabis factory – and today both he and a second man learned their fate at Cardiff Crown Court.
Sentencing
Albert Hysaj, 42, was jailed for six months on Friday, July 31 after admitting producing a class B controlled drug.
A 40-year-old man from the Abertillery area, who has not been named, was sentenced at the same hearing. He pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and being concerned in the production of cannabis, and walked away with a suspended sentence.
The call-out
Officers were sent to commercial units on the Bowen Industrial Estate in Aberbargoed, north of Caerphilly, back in May following reports that something suspicious was going on at the site.
What officers found
Two industrial units, linked together, had been converted wholesale into a growing operation. Cannabis plants – 313 of them – filled three separate rooms. Whoever was running the site had also fitted it out to be lived in, with a kitchen and a bathroom built into the premises.
Hiding behind a false wall
Hysaj had sealed himself away behind a fake wall constructed inside the building. It did not work. PD Asko picked up his scent and steered officers straight to the spot where he was concealed.
The lease trail
Follow-up enquiries traced the tenancy on one of the units to the 40-year-old from Abertillery. Officers went to his home address and arrested him there, seizing cocaine during the search. His mobile phone was examined and found to hold evidence of drug supplying.
Police reaction
Inspector Laura Paget of Gwent Police’s Community Action Team said: “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 Asko and his amazing sense of smell meaning we could bring this suspect to justice.
“Our work in identifying and then dismantling cannabis farms stops the onward sale into our communities and prevents the profits from going on to fund other forms of crime.
“We would encourage anyone with concerns about illegal drugs in their area to get in touch, so we can take action.”
Reporting concerns
Anyone who spots something suspicious or is worried about drug activity where they live can contact Gwent Police through the force website, by calling 101, or by direct message on Facebook or X.
