Former student who entered UK illegally and grew cannabis farm in Beeston is sent to prison

A man who entered the UK illegally and grew a cannabis farm at a house in Beeston has been locked up for 27 months.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Ranato Dauti was arrested at the property on Brompton Row on March 25 this year when West Yorkshire Police officers executed a search warrant.

Leeds Crown Court heard a total of 148 plants were found growing in the basement, on the first floor and in the attic of the terraced property.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rukshanda Hussain, prosecuting, said the 25-year-old defendant was hiding in the bathroom when the officers forced their way into the house.

Ranato Dauti was jailed for 27 months for growing cannabis farm at a house in BeestonRanato Dauti was jailed for 27 months for growing cannabis farm at a house in Beeston
Ranato Dauti was jailed for 27 months for growing cannabis farm at a house in Beeston

The property had been fitted with a ventilation system, electric fans, transformers and plastic sheeting.

A total of 75 plants were in the basement, 31 were in a first floor bedroom and 42 were in the attic.

Read More
'You could have killed him': Thug jailed over drunken stamping attack in garden ...

He pleaded guilty to producing cannabis.

Brompton Row, BeestonBrompton Row, Beeston
Brompton Row, Beeston

Philip Mahoney, mitigating, said Dauti is a former university student who had been working legally in Germany between 2018 and 2021.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In August last year he met his partner who works as a nursery teacher in the UK.

Mr Mahoney said: "They had a long distance relationship for some months with her visiting him at the weekends.

"Having come here illegally he found himself unable to work."

Mr Mahoney said Dauti has no previous convictions and pleaded guilty to the offence at the earliest opportunity.

Sentencing Dauti, Judge Tom Bayliss QC said: "You had an expectation of significant financial or other advantage.

"The fact that you were illegally in the UK is an aggravating feature"