Five men have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentence after Staffordshire Police uncovered a cannabis factory in Stoke-on-Trent. 

Officers from Staffordshire Police arrested the five men at the scene after they found 200 cannabis plants at an address in Birches Head on Friday (28 February). 

Amarilinto Mersinllari, 26, Besim Mlista, 33, Orgito Tafa, 34, Bektash Toska, 23, and Elton Tuga, 32, all of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to producing a controlled drug of class B (cannabis) and abstract/use without authority electricity. 

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: "We found a cannabis grow inside an address near Widecombe Road, Birches Head, at 7.10pm on Friday 28 February.

"Five men were arrested at the scene.

"Amarilinto Mersinllari, 26, Besim Mlista, 33, Orgito Tafa, 34, Bektash Toska, 23, and Elton Tuga, 32, all of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to producing a controlled drug of class B (cannabis) and abstract/use without authority electricity at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Monday (3 March).

"They were remanded into custody ahead of their next appearance at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 10 April 2025.

"We're working proactively to disrupt and target the organised crime groups responsible for cannabis cultivation across Staffordshire.

"Those involved are often exploited by career criminals and forced to cultivate the plants on behalf of criminal gangs."

Staffordshire Police is urging anyone concerned about cannabis cultivation in their area to call on 101 or use Live Chat on its website.

Or to report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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