Two men jailed after cannabis factory found in Hertford

Two men have been sent to prison after police uncovered a cannabis farm worth over half a million pounds at a property in Hertford.

Officers were called to a building on Mimram Road on Wednesday 9 April after reports of suspicious activity. When they arrived, they discovered the property had been turned into a large-scale cannabis factory, with dangerously altered electrics to support the operation.

As police moved in, two men tried to escape through the roof but were quickly caught and arrested.

Dede Makaj, 34, from Haringey Park in London, and Bylbyl Nezaj, 36, from The Meadows in Bishop’s Stortford, both pleaded guilty to producing a Class B drug. They were sentenced to three years in prison at St Albans Crown Court on Tuesday 20 May and will be deported after serving their time.

Detective Constable Charlotte Bell, who led the investigation, said:

“This was a significant discovery, and we’re pleased with the outcome. Cannabis factories like this are not only illegal but pose serious risks to surrounding communities.”

She added that the criminal networks behind these operations often tamper with electrics and damage buildings, creating fire hazards and long-term structural issues for nearby residents.

“Drugs like these are linked to wider crime including theft, violence, and burglary—and they have a real impact on people’s lives,” she said.

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