Two men were each sentenced to 14 months when they appeared in court yesterday (Wednesday 12 March) over cultivating cannabis plants.

Leonard Kriashi, 33, of Clockhouse Parade Mansions, North Circular Road, London and Erald Sela, 24, of Bestmans Lane, Kempsey, Worcestershire were both convicted of production of a class B drug – cannabis at Worcester Crown Court.

Their convictions follow a warrant executed by West Mercia Police at an outbuilding off Bestmans Lane, Kempsey on 26 November 2024.

A grow of approximately 1,500 plants was discovered by officers from our South Worcestershire Neighbourhood Crime Fighting Team (NCFT) and Malvern Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) following concerns raised by National Grid over irregular power usage at the location.

Upon entry they discovered the mature plants and vacuum-packed crops growing in five rooms, together with horticultural growing products and multiple power transformers and sockets.

Officers arrested Kriashi and Sela who were sentenced at court yesterday, having pled guilty to the offences in January..

Safer Neighbourhood Inspector for Malvern, Dave Wise, said: “We are pleased to obtain convictions and custodial sentences for these two men following the warrant executed at the site in Kempsey last November.

“Large-scale cannabis grows such as this one are often tied to organised crime groups, whose activities fuel further criminality, including modern slavery. Tackling these operations is vital to protecting our communities and keeping them safe from harm.”

Anyone who believes there may be an illegal grow or criminal activity in their community is urged to report it to us via our website Report a crime | West Mercia Police. Always call 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively, if you have information but don’t feel comfortable speaking to police, you can speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers. It is 100% anonymous, they never ask your name, and they cannot trace your call or IP address. You can contact them online or by calling 0800 555 111.

This investigation forms part of Operation Target – West Mercia Police’s work to tackle serious and organised crime. New operation launched to target serious and organised crime | West Mercia Police