A man who received a suspended sentence for growing cannabis at a property in Bedford has been jailed after he was rumbled three days later during another police raid.
Last week, 37-year-old Nerijus Valskis, from Bedford, was sentenced alongside his associate, 40-year-old Ernestas Varnas, after officers discovered a cannabis factory at a rented property in Littleport, Cambridgeshire.
Valskis discovered the empty property when he was recommended to the owner’s friend to carry out electrical works on it.
With the owner living overseas and unable to monitor the home, Valskis took the opportunity to set up a false tenant and divert the electricity supply using his professional knowledge.
He then used a third party to pay rent to disguise his control over the property.
Valskis’ associate Varnas was tasked with organising 52-year-old Vytoutas Klevinskas to travel from Lithuania to live there and monitor the cannabis grow.
Varnas had used his home village contacts in Lithuania to help identify Klevinskas as the best fit for the job.
Varnas was also involved in controlling the conditions within the factory, such as humidity and pH levels.
Concerns from residents resulted in officers searching the property where they discovered drugs, drug paraphernalia, cash and phones, before arresting all three men.
Valskis had previously received a 12-month suspended sentence after being caught growing cannabis at a Bedford property, just three days before his arrest
Last Tuesday (15 April), the judge sentencing at Peterborough Crown Court said Valskis and Varnas were contributing to the harm and distress that controlled drugs cause the community.
Valskis was found guilty of playing a significant role in the production of cannabis and being in possession of cannabis and cocaine for personal use.
He was ordered to serve his previous suspended sentence alongside an additional two years and three months.
Varnas was also found guilty of having played a significant role in the production of cannabis and was given an eight-month sentence, suspended for two years.
Klevinskas had previously been found guilty of carrying out a minor role in the production of cannabis and was given a four-month sentence, suspended for 12 months and was ordered to be deported to Lithuania.
Investigation Officer Neville Drummond, from Bedfordshire Police’s Operation Costello team, said, “We know our communities are impacted by the growing and selling of drugs daily, and that’s why we’re determined to keep cracking down on these criminals.
“If you have any concerns about drugs in your area, no matter how small you may feel they are, it is vital you report them to us so we can continue to tackle these issues and protect the community.”
