Westcliff: Man jailed for cannabis cultivation

Following information received, officers from our South Disruptor Team, executed a drug warrant at a property in Retreat Road, Westcliff on 27 October last year.

When officers went inside the property, they found a cannabis cultivation.

The only person at the address at the time of the warrant, Arlind Pervana, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the cultivation of Class B drugs and 45 plants were seized.

The nineteen-year-old was charged with the offence and remanded in custody to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court the following day where he pleaded guilty (28 October 2022).

Arlind Pervana of Retreat Road was sentenced to fifteen months imprisonment when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Thursday 2 February.

South Disruptor Team officer, Detective Sergeant Matt Harriss, said:

“The cannabis plants were examined by an expert who estimated that they could have had a potential street value of £30,000 had they entered the drug supply chain.

“This is not acceptable.

“We are here to protect our communities and keep them safe and by making sure these drugs didn’t hit our streets, we are able to stop their related misery.”