Two Albanian men who ran a £730,000 cannabis factory at a Fife industrial unit were found by police hiding inside a false ceiling.
Officers uncovered more than 520 illicit plants – about 64 kilos – at the building in Southfield Industrial Estate, Glenrothes.
Artan Zvirina, 45, and Shefqet Zotaj, 25, appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court and admitted being concerned in the supply of the class B drug on March 6 this year.
When the pair were rumbled by police, Zvirina told officers it had been too hard to get a job in construction.
Zotaj asked if they had found out about the operation because of a “snitch”.
‘This is my first time doing this’
The pair, both prisoners in Perth, appeared in the dock from custody, aided by an Albanian interpreter.
Prosecutor Sarah Smith said police forced entry to the unit at around 9am on March 6 after receiving intelligence about there being a cannabis cultivation there.
Officers found growing areas containing plants over two floors as well as a converted living room with bedding, a fridge and food items.
They also found personal items including a plugged-in razor and a passport belonging to one of the men.
The fiscal depute said: “Both accused were found hiding on the top of a makeshift ceiling at the back of the property”.
Ms Smith said one of the men told police: “I have been in this country for about six months. I have tried to get a job in construction but it is difficult and not much jobs.
“This is my first time doing this”.
She said the other man asked officers how they found out about them and asked: “Was it a snitch?”
Both men were detained at Kirkcaldy police station and the search continued.
Remanded in custody
Police established there were three growing areas with a number of power boards, lights, carbon filters, fans and thermometers.
A total of 521 cannabis plants were seized with an approximate weight of 64 kilos.
Other items recovered included used gloves, a number of which had been worn by the men.
The fiscal depute said a police report advised the value of the drugs recovered ranged between £457,600 if sold in ounce deals, to £732,300 if subdivided further.
The men were cautioned and charged and made no reply.
Sheriff Steven Borthwick adjourned sentencing until July 28 to obtain background reports and the pair were remanded in custody meantime.
Zvirina and Zotaj were pictured afterwards outside court while being led into a custody van in handcuffs.
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