Man jailed for growing 300 cannabis plants in Rotherham town centre
The plants were recovered from a former jewellery shop
Last updated 4th Aug 2022
A man has been jailed for growing over 300 cannabis plants in Rotherham Town centre after police raided a former jewellers on Effingham Street.
Back in early June South Yorkshire Police Officers entered the property after intelligence led them to believe it was being used as a cannabis farm.
They found over 300 cannabis plants in six large rooms and arrested Sokol Shabani, subsequently charging him with production of a class B drug
31-year-old Shabani, of no fixed address, has now been sentenced to 18 months in prison and £250 which was taken from him during his arrest will not be returned, it will instead go towards funding other operations like this.
Operation Grow - dismantling cannabis farms
This sentencing was part of the on-going work in Rotherham as part of the Operation Grow initiative; a partnership between South Yorkshire Police and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) to identify and dismantle cannabis farms.
Since the launch of Operation Grow in 2021, just under 100 warrants have been executed and 11,053 plants have been recovered with a street value of £11 million.
Cannabis farms can be exploiting vulnerable people
Temporary Sergeant Matt Smith explains more, he said: “Cannabis farms can significantly impact the quality of life of local residents and businesses, as well as often being linked to organised crime and the exploitation of vulnerable people, who are forced to mind the farms on behalf of gangs.
“Those who are being exploited need our help. By working with our communities we are able to ensure victims are protected and those responsible are prosecuted.
“We continue to urge the public to report concerns to us, and look out for the signs a property is being used to grow drugs.