Three men have been sentenced to a combined total of eight years and six months in prison after a large-scale cannabis cultivation operation was uncovered at an industrial unit in Oldham.

Indrid Hysembelli, 26, Xhoi Kasaj, 30, and Romeo Tosca, 25, were convicted of producing Class B drugs at Minshull Street Crown Court. Hysembelli was sentenced on 27 April 2026 to three years and seven months, while Kasaj and Tosca were both sentenced on 23 March 2026 to two years and three months, and two years and eight months, respectively.

The sentences follow a police raid in the early hours of Tuesday, 17 June 2025, when officers executed a warrant at an industrial premises on Bilsley Street. The building was heavily secured, requiring specialist equipment to force entry.

Inside, officers discovered 889 cannabis plants at various stages of growth, with an estimated street value of £986,800. The setup was highly organised, and a small living area was found within the premises, containing four bunk beds, a cooker, a fridge, and a television displaying live CCTV footage from cameras positioned around the exterior. The living conditions were described as extremely poor.

An inspection confirmed that the electricity supply had been illegally bypassed and connected directly to the mains at several points, resulting in a substantial amount of electricity being drawn unlawfully.

During the search, Hysembelli, Kasaj, and Tosca, who are all of Albanian descent, were found hiding in the loft space and were subsequently arrested.

Detective Constable Christopher Brown from the Oldham Division said: “This was a significant and highly organised cannabis cultivation operation, producing drugs valued at almost £1 million and posing a serious risk to the local community. Drug dealing is not a victimless crime. It is closely linked to violent gang activity and the exploitation of vulnerable people – serious issues that impact communities across Greater Manchester and remain a key focus of our ongoing enforcement work. These sentences reflect the seriousness of the offence and send a clear message that those involved in the production and supply of illegal drugs will be identified, arrested and brought before the courts. We will continue to act on intelligence, execute warrants like this one and disrupt organised criminal activity wherever it operates across Greater Manchester.”

Warrants such as this form part of ongoing efforts to disrupt organised drug production in Oldham and protect communities from the harm it causes. Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to help prevent such operations in the future.