Trio Confess Involvement in £1M Stevenston Cannabis Operation

Three Albanian Men Plead Guilty to Drugs Production After £1 Million Cannabis Factory Raid in Stevenston

Three Albanian men have pleaded guilty to producing cannabis following a major police raid at a cannabis factory in Stevenston, North Ayrshire. The factory, valued at over £1 million, was discovered in December last year during an operation that led to the arrest of the trio after they attempted to flee the scene.

Defendants Appear in Court Following Major Cannabis Seizure

Ruzhdi Bulku, 37, Mario Hasmuca, 28, and Adelajd Osmanaj, 26, appeared at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, September 11, where they admitted to charges of drug production. Judge Alistair Watson deferred their sentencing for the preparation of background reports, with the trio remaining in custody in the meantime.

The case stems from a police raid on December 15, 2023, when officers uncovered a large-scale cannabis cultivation operation at McGowan House, a premises linked to Skye Consultancy Ltd. The police discovered 138.84 kilos of harvested cannabis and 850 smaller plants spread across multiple rooms in the building.

Escape Attempt Thwarted by Police Following Raid

The police raid unfolded when officers accidentally set off motion-activated cameras while attending McGowan House for an unrelated matter. This unexpected event prompted a group of men, including the three defendants, to flee the premises and run into the surrounding wasteland in an attempt to evade capture.

Prosecutor Lindsay Dalziel recounted the events in court, explaining that the motion cameras had triggered the men to run from the rear of the building.

“A large-scale area search took place with the assistance of the police’s air support unit,” Dalziel told the court. Osmanaj was found hiding in a bush near the building, while Bulku approached officers with his hands raised, surrendering without further incident. Hasmuca was located shortly after, hiding in the grassy wasteland nearby.

Police Discover Cannabis Worth Over £1 Million

A thorough search of McGowan House revealed an extensive cannabis cultivation operation. In total, officers seized £510,000 worth of cannabis plants in the growing area on the ground floor, consisting of 850 smaller plants. In other rooms, police found 45 large bags containing cannabis weighing 130.82 kilos, with a street value of £497,116.

In addition, a further five bags of dried cannabis weighing 8.02 kilos were found in a drying area, with an estimated value of £30,476. Prosecutor Dalziel emphasized the scale of the operation, noting, “The total maximum value of the cannabis recovered is £1,037,592.”

Links to Another Cannabis Factory in Dumbarton

Investigations revealed that Skye Consultancy Ltd, the company controlling the premises, was also linked to another cannabis factory in Dumbarton. This connection has drawn further scrutiny as authorities investigate the extent of the drug network operating within the company’s properties.

In a separate case, four other Albanian men have already pleaded guilty to their involvement in the £695,000 cultivation at the Dumbarton site. They are expected to be sentenced later this month.

Judge Defers Sentence Pending Reports

Judge Alistair Watson emphasized the gravity of the charges and the significant value of the drugs involved in the operation. Addressing the three defendants, the judge acknowledged that they had no prior convictions in the UK but stressed that the severity of the case warranted a detailed background report.

“The amount involved is significant, and the sentence passed will have to reflect that,” Judge Watson said. “You appear with no previous convictions from Britain, and I know very little about you. I will obtain a background report to get a better picture of who you are and what led to this situation.”

The sentencing for Bulku, Hasmuca, and Osmanaj has been deferred until next month, as the court seeks further information about their backgrounds and any mitigating circumstances. In the meantime, all three men will remain in custody.

Cannabis Seizure Highlights Ongoing Issue of Drug Cultivation

The discovery of such a large cannabis factory in Stevenston underscores the ongoing issue of illegal drug production in the UK, particularly by organized criminal groups. Law enforcement agencies continue to crack down on large-scale cannabis cultivation operations, which are often linked to trafficking networks involving foreign nationals.

Authorities are working to dismantle these operations, with raids such as the one at McGowan House playing a critical role in disrupting drug supply chains. However, the case also highlights the challenge of enforcing drug laws against individuals involved in such networks, many of whom may have little known history or documentation within the country.

Next Steps in the Case

As the case progresses, the court will consider the defendants’ backgrounds, the extent of their involvement in the cannabis factory, and any mitigating factors before delivering their sentences. The involvement of other individuals linked to Skye Consultancy Ltd and the larger drug network is also expected to come under further investigation as authorities aim to fully dismantle the operation.

For now, the guilty pleas of Bulku, Hasmuca, and Osmanaj mark a significant step in holding those responsible accountable for their roles in the illegal production of cannabis in Scotland.