Man who had 3kg of cannabis in car was in custody battle

Alban Bafti, 30, was found with 2.9kg of cannabis, with a street value of about £30,000, in a bag in his BMW car in Christchurch Road, Norwich as well as two bundles of £1,000.

During a search of his home in Essex 203 cannabis plants, with a street value of £170,000, were found along with sophisticated growing and heating equipment.

Norwich Crown Court heard Bafti, an Albanian national, had got involved in the enterprise after borrowing £30,000 from another Albanian to help pay for a custody battle he was having with a British woman with whom he had an eight-year-old boy.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

Jude Durr, prosecuting, said Bafti, who initially told police the money in his car was the result of a "successful career as a gambler", had played a "significant role" in the operation.

He said the defendant had an "expectation of significant financial advantage".

Bafti, from Harwich, Essex, appeared at court on Wednesday (June 21) having admitted possession with intent to supply cannabis on March 10 this year and production of cannabis on March 11 this year.

Alban Bafti (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Glenn Harris, mitigating, said Bafti, who has no previous convictions, had "borrowed quite a large amount of money, £30,000, to pay for a custody battle for his son".

But having "accrued that debt" was told "the work he had to do" in terms of supplying and growing the cannabis.

Mr Harris said he "initially refused on two occasions" but pressure was applied and he "acceded to their will".

Jailing Bafti for 32 months Judge Andrew Shaw said he was willing to accept the defendant had got involved in the offending to help his battle for custody over his son.

Judge Andrew Shaw (Image: Newsquest)

But Judge Shaw said he was "sure you must've known you would then be beholden to these people" and that committing criminal offences would be a necessity.