A 21-year-old has admitted a drugs charge following a police raid on a Heaton cannabis farm thought to be worth upwards of £60,000.
Kajdi Karaj, of no fixed abode, was found hiding in locked bedroom at the property in Stratford Road on Wednesday, when police executed a search warrant following reports of concern from locals. Karaj was arrested and charged, before pleading guilty to the production of a controlled drug at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
He has been remanded in custody is due to be sentenced on June 23. Officers believed the cannabis farm had a value of around £61,000 and contained an estimated 150 plants..
Sgt Gary Sharpe of Northumbria Police, said: "This is a welcome result for our team and thanks in no small part to members of the public who provided vital information in helping us to locate this illicit operation.
"No one wants to live next door to a cannabis farm or to drug dealers and I would encourage our communities to continue working with us and sharing concerns with us so we can act.
"Money made from dealing cannabis if very often funnelled back into more serious offences which sadly contribute to slavery, people trafficking and violence, which is why we are always looking to tackle the impact it has on our communities."
Sgt Sharpe said he hoped the case "sends a message" that the police are committed to putting a halt to criminality and illegal activity.
Anyone who sees anything suspicious in their community is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of the Northumbria Police website. In an emergency, or if a crime is taking place, always ring 999.
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