Thirteen men in court after large cannabis farm found next door to police warehouse

Thirteen men have been remanded in custody after they appeared to face a drugs charge for the first time.
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The unit is opposite a Durham Police warehouse, with heavy police presence outside the disused factory and a notable smell of cannabis in the air.

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On Friday, March 20, 13 men appeared before Peterlee Magistrates' Court, each charged with the production of a controlled drug, class B cannabis, with a variation of dates from late last year up until Wednesday.

Police were seen outside the disused factory unit as inquiries were launched into a cannabis farm on the Whitehouse Business Park in Peterlee.Police were seen outside the disused factory unit as inquiries were launched into a cannabis farm on the Whitehouse Business Park in Peterlee.
Police were seen outside the disused factory unit as inquiries were launched into a cannabis farm on the Whitehouse Business Park in Peterlee.

It is understood all but one of the defendants is originally from Albania.

They are: Darren Whitlie, 24, Malaya Drive, while the following are of no fixed abode: Olci Qato, 26; Ardit Xhardo, 23; Marinel Bejdo, 19; Igli Dedja, 20; Kanaci Altin, 20; Emilian Moutsa, 22; Ermalindo Yryku, 29; Erjon Rrapaj, 19; Lorenc Kotollaku, 21; Ardian Osmenaj, 24; Ndrilim Tahiri, 33 and Ardi Cerpja, 37.

All were remanded in custody until their next appearance, which will be before Newcastle Crown Court on Friday, April 17.

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Police have said officers would continue to work at the unit for a number of days as inquiries continue into the drugs farm.

The force confirmed it has made 13 arrests in the wake of the search of the unit, which is on the corner of Traynor Way and Shotton Road.