Man who was trafficked from Albania found with 230 cannabis plants in a Cathays property

A man who was trafficked from Albania was found with 230 cannabis plants in his home in Cathays.

Bernard Cera, 21, had his Harriet Street property raided by police on 19th December last year where officers discovered he was tending to 230 cannabis plants. They consisted of various sizes, including numerous saplings and were discovered in four of the ten rooms at the property.

Wales Online reported that Cera was seen trying to escape through a window but was later found hiding under rubbish bags outside his home where he was arrested.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday heard police describe it as a “very good set up”.

The defendant told the courts he had been trafficked into the UK from Albania and had only been in the UK for three months. He claimed he was working to pay off a £10,000 debt due to threats that had been made to his family back home in Albania. The court heard he was a man of good character and his lawyer requested the court give as short of a sentence as possible.

Cera pleaded guilty to cannabis production and was sentenced to a total of 14 months imprisonment. He will only serve half the sentence in custody before the Home Office make a decision on his right to remain in the UK.

Judge Niclas Parry said: “This kind of offending is becoming more and more of a problem in South Wales. Illegal immigrants are at the route of it and they must be made to think twice and the message must be understood. The court will try and do that by deterrent sentences. This was a sophisticated operation capable of producing significant quantities of drugs for commercial use.”

Feature Image Credit: South Wales Police 

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• We asked our Cardiff Tab team: Who are the women who inspire you?
• NUS warns thousands of Welsh students may not be able to afford uni unless loans increase
• Police to be investigated after car crash victims were only discovered after 48 hours