But Anastasios Loizos, the only person present when police raided the former Ranch Meat House, in Seaham, last month, claims he played a minor role in the operation, “merely” following the instructions of others who placed him there when he arrived in the country from Greece.
Loizos was found hiding in the loft space and was arrested when police attended and gained entry to the Stockton Road premises on Monday, December 16.
Officers found 1,600 cannabis plants being grown across the former restaurant, which only closed for business in January last year.
(Image: Durham Constabulary) The crop was said to have had the potential to earn £1m for the growers.
Seaham police neighbourhood team is said to have worked into the night removing and cataloguing the seized plants and the equipment being used in the grow.
Loizos, 47, of no fixed abode, appeared at Durham Crown Court via video link from the city’s nearby prison at a plea hearing today (Tuesday, January 14).
Assisted by a Greek interpreter, he pleaded guilty to the single charge of producing a controlled drug of class B, a quantity of cannabis.
James Yearsley, for the defendant, said his client’s admission was made on a basis which he outlined to the court.
Lozios was said to have told Mr Yearsley he was from a small village near Olimpia, in Greece.
“In essence, he arrived in January 2024 and was taken by taxi to the property where he was later arrested.
“He was met there by men by men in balaclavas and other face coverings.
“One of the men spoke Greek.
“It was explained to him that his job was to grow the cannabis plants.
“He was not able to leave the property and he was told if he tried to leave they would hurt his family, in Greece.
“He was provided with food and slept at the property.
“There was one time he left and they called him and told him to go back.
“He did have a key, but only so he could take out the bins.
“There were cameras at the property, so they could see if he attempted to leave.
“He did not want to call the police as he was afraid for his family.
“He did not want them to come to harm.”
(Image: Durham Constabulary) Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said he would have to consult the overseeing officer in the case and the reviewing Crown lawyer to see if the defendant’s account was to be considered acceptable.
Judge Jo Kidd told Loizos, through the interpreter, that if the prosecution accept his basis for his involvement in such, “a large scale commercial operation”, he will receive a shorter sentence.
But, if the prosecution disagrees and says he played a more important role, then there will have to be a more involved hearing before a judge.
See more court stories from The Northern Echo, by clicking here
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“It will be for the judge hearing the case to decide whether to agree that you played a smaller role, or that it was a more prominent one, in the cultivation of this cannabis.”
The judge adjourned for the trial of issue (Newton hearing), to be heard at the court in six weeks, after which the defendant will be sentenced.
He was remanded to remain in custody in the meantime, to be produced, again, via the video link, for the Newton hearing, on February 28.