Clacton: Man jailed for cannabis production

Following a drugs raid by officers from Clacton Community Policing Team, a 24-year-old man has been jailed for a year.

Olsi Muneka, of Ottershaw Way in the town, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on 29 August 2023, having previously admitted producing cannabis.

Officers seized 143 cannabis plants, valued at up to £120,000 and at various stages of growth, which they found in five rooms within the four-bedroom house in Ottershaw Way on 17 July.

Muneka was found to be living in the kitchen as the four bedrooms upstairs were filled with plants.

The judge also made an order for the forfeiture and destruction of the cannabis plants and growing equipment, including lamps and fans, which were seized during the execution of a warrant under section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Muneka was also ordered to pay a £187 victim surcharge.

Tendring community policing inspector Aaron Homatopoulos says:

“Officers prevented a significant amount of cannabis from reaching the streets of Tendring when they seized those plants.
“The trade in illegal drugs, no matter what class they are, is often associated with violence and other serious crimes, which cause untold harm both to vulnerable people and to our communities.
“Cannabis grows can also pose a significant fire hazard to nearby properties. Because the electricity meter had been bypassed, our officers called UK Power Networks staff in to cut off the electricity supply to the premises before they could seize the plants.”

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