Two men jailed for 20 months after admitting £500,000 cannabis grow

Two men have been jailed for 20 months after they admitted growing cannabis worth around £500,000 at a property in Rushden.

Renald Cela, aged 22, and Praka Dionis, also aged 22, were arrested by Northamptonshire Police following the execution of a Misuse of Drugs warrant in Northampton Road, Rushden, on June 7.

The warrant was executed during a national month-long operation tackling the organised crime gangs (OCGs) responsible for cannabis factories, and led to the discovery of more than 500 cannabis plants and growing equipment within the property.

Cela and Dionis, both of no fixed address, went on to admit one charge of the production of cannabis.

They appeared before Northampton Crown Court on July 14 for sentencing, and were each give 20-month prison terms, with Cela also given a forfeiture order for £325 in cash seized during the warrant.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Nichola Carroll, of the Force’s Criminal Investigation Department, said: “Tackling drug harm is one of our Matters of Priority, and as part of Operation Mille our officers executed 21 search warrants during June, targeting those growing and selling cannabis in our county.

“Cannabis-related crime is not low level, and OCGs are often responsible for significant exploitation and violence in the protection of their cannabis factories, which can generate serious revenue.

“Every cannabis farm that is shut down is a win in the fight against organised crime, and I am pleased to see these two men sent to prison for their involvement in the supply of illegal drugs.”

Drug harm is one of Northamptonshire Police’s four Matters of Priority. If you have information about suspected drug dealing, please report it by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency. You can also make non-emergency reports online at www.northants.police.uk/RO.

Information can also be shared anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.