Police found cannabis farm worth £36,000 when they executed search warrant at a house in Beeston

West Yorkshire Police officers made the discovery when they executed a search warrant at the property on Colwyn Road, Beeston, on February 3 this year.

Leeds Crown Court heard the plants were found in the cellar, first floor bedrooms and the attic.

Rooms had been fitted with heating, lighting, electrical transformers and ventilation equipment.

Jessica Heggie, prosecuting, said large amounts of fertiliser were also in the property.

Officers arrested 22-year-old Klaide Cenaj at the house.

Cenaj was interviewed and told police he had entered the UK illegally six months earlier.

The defendant said he had been ordered to look after the plants by criminals who arranged his entry into the country.

Cenaj said he had also been given £2,000 in cash by the men he had been working for.

He pleaded guilty to producing cannabis.

He added that Cenaj became involved in the offending as he owed £22,000 to the criminal gang.

Jailing Cenaj for 16 months, Judge Christopher Batty said: "This was a significant and sophisticated cannabis grow.

"I accept it was not your operation but you played a significant role. You were there to garden and look after the plants.

"You were working off the cost of your illegal entry into this country."