An Albanian man allegedly found in a £100,000 Swindon cannabis factory wearing only his pants has been remanded in custody.
Appearing before Swindon Magistrates’ Court via video link from Gablecross police station, Mirjan Smakaj, 32, of no fixed address, entered no pleas to a single charge of cannabis production.
With the help of a translator he told the justices: “I don’t want a solicitor without speaking with my family.”
Police were called to reports of a suspected burglary in progress at a house in Omdurman Street, Gorse Hill, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Prosecutor Keith Ballinger said police officers arrived to find a man in his underwear talking on the phone. There were approximately 60 cannabis plants in the house together with buds. Detectives estimate the value of the drugs to be £100,000.
Smakaj was remanded in custody to appear before Swindon Crown Court on August 28 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article