Four men charged after the discovery of cannabis factories

Four men have appeared before magistrates following the discovery of cannabis factories at different addresses across Northampton last week.

The men were arrested after West Northamptonshire Council Housing Enforcement Team and Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team executed warrants under Section 240 of the Housing Act.

More than 320 cannabis plants in different stages of growth worth an estimated street value of £275,000 were found inside two properties in Lutterworth Road, and at addresses in Charles Street and Bellropes Square.

Afrim Kanaj, aged 25, of Charles Street, Northampton, and 27-year-old Denis Memushaj of Lutterworth Road, Northampton, were both charged with producing a controlled Class B drug.

Kanaj and Memushaj appeared before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Friday, May 6, where they were remanded in custody until their next appearance at Northampton Crown Court on Wednesday, June 22 and Northampton Magistrates court on Friday, May 27 respectively.

On Saturday, May 7, 23-year-old Klodjan Kazani of Bellropes Square, and Eroljan Tabaku, aged 31, of no fixed address, appeared before Northampton Magistrates’ Court charged with producing a controlled Class B drug.

They were both remanded in custody until their next appearance at Northampton Crown Court on Wednesday, June 22.

A 44-year-old woman from Northampton has been released on police bail pending further enquiries after being arrested on suspicion of permitting the production of a controlled drug on a premises.

Detective Sergeant Colin Bowers, of the West LPA Crime Team, said: “Tackling and preventing drugs harm within Northamptonshire is a matter of priority for the Force.

“Working together with our colleagues from West Northamptonshire Council Housing Enforcement Team and Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team, we will continue to disrupt the drugs supply chain in our county.

“Anything which causes the local community a concern, causes us a concern too, and tackling and preventing the supply of drugs is one of our matters of priority”.

“If anyone has concerns in relation to any form of suspected illegal activity, please report it to us on 101, online at www.northants.police.uk or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”