An Albanian man was found by police in the loft space of a Norfolk cannabis factory just months after being released from prison after being convicted of a similar offence, a court has heard.

Rexhep Jemini, 37 - who arrived in the UK by crossing the Channel in a small boat - was hiding at a property in School Road, in Great Yarmouth, where more than 150 cannabis plants were found in different stages of growth.

Eastern Daily Press: Some of the cannabis found at the propertySome of the cannabis found at the property (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)Norwich Crown Court heard that before the police raid on November 7 this year Jemini had been put to work at the cannabis factory as a gardener after he was released from a previous prison sentence in Wakefield, also in connection with cannabis production.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Crown CourtNorwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)Oliver Haswell, prosecuting, said police searched a number of rooms at the Yarmouth property and discovered a "sophisticated cultivation operation".

He said Jemini, who remained silent when interviewed by police, had been used to "supervise the crop" and was "a gardener".

Jemini, of no fixed address, appeared at court on Wednesday (December 6) for sentencing, having admitted production of cannabis.

Eastern Daily Press: Rexhep JeminiRexhep Jemini (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)Andrew Oliver, mitigating, said Jemini, who deserved credit for his plea, came to the UK from Albania on a small boat in August 2021.

After spending three months working on building sites in London he was approached by an Albanian man who gave him a place to stay in Wakefield at a cannabis farm.

Mr Oliver said after he was released from a prison sentence for that offence he had no money and met another Albanian man who provided him with food and accommodation for a few months.

He was then told he had to work for 120 days to pay off his debt resulting in him ending up at the Yarmouth cannabis factory.

Jailing Jemini for 18 months Judge Alice Robinson said in the short time he had been in the country he had "demonstrated a flagrant disregard for the law" having been involved in two cannabis growing operations in Yarmouth and Wakefield.

Eastern Daily Press: Judge Alice RobinsonJudge Alice Robinson (Image: Newsquest)She said the Norfolk cannabis factory was an "ongoing, sophisticated operation" although accepted he had played a "lesser role".