A trio of men involved in a large-scale cannabis-growing operation on the Isle of Wight have been handed a combined prison sentence of 46 months.
56-year-old Wayne Newton, of Church Road in Shanklin, 50-year-old Artan Ulndreaj, of no fixed abode, and 27-year-old Kevin Brako, also of no fixed abode, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court for sentencing today (Friday).
It comes after they were charged late last year in connection with a large cannabis grow unearthed just days before Christmas at Shanklin’s Holliers Hotel.
As first reported by Island Echo, it was on the morning of 23rd December that a convoy of Police vehicles descended on the Old Village establishment, quickly forcing entry.
Approximately 250 cannabis plants – worth an estimated £150,000 – were located on the top floor of the hotel within several rooms and subsequently seized by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary.
The area had been professionally adapted and professionally sealed, with high-intensity lighting, professional fans and air extraction units installed. The electricity supply had been bypassed, with new cabling routed outside of the building between the cellar and the top floor.
Hotel owner Wayne Newton, Artan Ulndreaj and Kevin Brako were all arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cannabis, a charge they later admitted before a Crown Court Judge. The trio have been in remand at HMP Lewes in West Sussex since their arrest.
At a recent court hearing, Newton admitted a further offence of permitting the production of cannabis and Ulndreaj, a charge of remaining in the UK beyond the time allowed.
The haul was located after concerns were raised over drug supply issues in the area. Subsequently, the Isle of Wight Council suspended the premises license for the hotel following an application for a summary review by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary.
At the time of the raid, 3 paying customers were staying at the hotel.
At a previous hearing in April, it was argued that Brako and Ulndreaj were just ‘gardeners’ given there was little evidence of any operational management on their part.
At today’s sentencing hearing, Newton was handed the lengthiest prison sentence of the 3, with a total of 32 months.
Meanwhile, the pair of so-called ‘landscapers’ got off lighter, with Artan Ulndreaj being sentenced to just 8 months imprisonment and Kevin Brako 6 months.
It makes one wonder how many other businesses are a
front for criminal activity, the mind boggles.
Hope these weren’t representing the green party
It’s the sort they are after for vote.
Another pathetic sentence what was the point???
Come on reform time to throw out the trash…
It’s been shut since December, no drinks licence or power, and the business is now clearly dead, under these tenants at least. I hope someone decent can take the place on and restore it (by heavens it needs it!) maybe moving it upmarket as high-end self-catering accommodation. The planning department should support that as it’s in a fabulous location, and I trust the old girl won’t go the way of the Ocean et al.
WHO is Wayne Newton?…The name rings a bell.