Six men plead guilty after cannabis factory found in Ipswich

Police found the farm in an address in Arcade Street in Ipswich on Friday, January 12 after officers received a tip-off from a member of the public.

The building where the factory was discovered used to house the Distinction nightclub, and prior to that Sound Academy.

A large police presence was seen in the town centre after the find, with eyewitnesses reporting seeing a number of people on the roof of a building.

Sander Paloka, 36, Kristian Kaza, 28, Kristian Lleshi, 28, Florent Tukaj, 25, Dorjan Gjorka, 28, Anxhelo Preci, 28, were all arrested and subsequently charged with producing cannabis.

They all pleaded guilty to the offence when appearing before Ipswich Crown Court on Monday.

The six are all of no fixed abode.

The six appeared at Ipswich Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Five of the six are to submit a basis of plea explaining they committed the crime to pay off debts.

However, Paloka has yet to organise his basis of plea as he initially rejected legal representation because “he was in a depression”.

There will be a further case management hearing on Thursday, March 14.

Inspector Dan Fiske, of Suffolk police, previously said: “This information from the public enabled us to develop the intelligence and obtain the warrant which ultimately produced this find.

"This sort of information is the lifeblood of our work and is invaluable in helping us build a picture of criminal activity. We’re always very grateful for the support from the community."