Man jailed after former WH Smith turned into three-storey £6m cannabis factory

A man has been sentenced after a former branch of WH Smith in Fife was turned into a £6m cannabis factory.

Petrit Gjuraj was sentenced to three years and three months in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday.

The 24-year-old was arrested after police caught him at the disused retail unit on High Street, Kirkcaldy, on May 4, 2022.

Officers raided the unit and discovered a cannabis farm worth up to £6.3m.

The farm included 1,330 plants over three storeys of the building, with each area having irrigation, industrial heating, and lighting units.

Police said there were also living quarters for workers.

Detective sergeant Kayleigh Lewis, Fife CID, said: “Uncovering a cultivation of this scale has a significant impact on the supply of cannabis onto Scotland’s streets.

“I hope that this sentencing sends a clear message to anyone involved in the production and supply of illegal drugs that we will use all resources at our disposal to track you down and ensure you face the consequences.

“Police Scotland remains committed to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious and Organised Crime Strategy, and our officers are determined to protect members of the public from this type of criminality

“The support we receive from the public is vital and we urge anyone with information or concerns regarding drugs in their community to contact police through 101. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”