Call for more drugs tip-offs after Shrewsbury cannabis farm pair jailed
A Shrewsbury police officer is urging anyone who knows of cannabis production to get in touch with the force as it continues to clamp down on drug dealing.
Earlier this week Fred Menga, 28, and Erikson Manoj, 27, both of Sundorne Crescent, Shrewsbury, pleaded guilty to the production of cannabis at their property worth up to £16,000.
Manoj also admitted a further charge of possessing false identification documents with improper intention.
DS Andy Chatting, from the Local Organised Crime Team, welcomed the sentence and wants the public to continue providing information to the police.
He said: “We’re pleased, together with the local safer neighbourhood team, we were able to disrupt this sizeable cannabis farm and are grateful to the information we received from members of the public to enable us to take action.
“It is part of our on-going activity to tackle organised crime in towns across Shropshire and I would urge anyone who is concerned about cannabis production or supply to get in contact with us.”
At Shrewsbury Justice Centre on Monday, Manoj was jailed for two years, with Menga receiving a ten-month sentence.
The court heard how police in Shrewsbury executed a warrant at an address in Sundorne Crescent on December 12 last year.
At the address, a total of 202 cannabis plants were recovered that were worth between £10,000 and £16,000.
After the drugs discovery, police also discovered the false identification documents.
The court was told how the pair had come to the UK illegally from Albania and were acting as gardeners to produce the cannabis.
It was also explained how Manoj had moved to Shrewsbury in a bid to find work opportunities.
Judge J Wait, sitting as a deputy circuit judge said the operation that was in place was a sophisticated one.
He said that Manoj had been supplied with false indemnification documents and a van, and a significant part was played in the cannabis growth.
West Mercia Police is currently carrying Protect – a campaign aimed at, in partnership with other agencies, targeting serious and organised crime.
