Tip-off leads to jail for Dover drugs producer

A drugs producer found to be cultivating a large amount of cannabis at a property in Dover has been jailed.

Florjan Prengezaj, 40, admitted producing 141 illegal plants after he was caught following a tip-off to neighbourhood police.

Kent Police attended an address in Oswald Road on the evening of Friday 28 August 2026, after concerns were raised to a beat officer. Suspicion was roused after large items of equipment and glowing lights were seen from outside the property.

Officers attended and observed boarded up windows, excessive noise from fans and extreme heat. High intensity grow lights, ventilation and extraction systems and growing nutrients were located inside the property.

Prengezaj, who was present, was arrested and further searches led to the recovery of multiple plants and dried cannabis bud. The cultivation filled 5 rooms and stretched over 3 floors.

The Albanian national was taken into custody and charged the following day with producing a controlled drug.

After pleading guilty before Folkestone magistrates on Monday 31 August, Prengezaj was immediately sentenced to 8 months’ imprisonment.

Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Paul Barrell said: ‘This case highlights the important role that local policing teams play in tackling crime in our communities. Our beat officers work closely with the people they serve, and following concerns raised directly to a neighbourhood officer, we were able to quickly investigate, identify a large-scale cannabis cultivation and bring the culprit before the courts. ‘Offences of this nature often fuel the illegal activity of wider criminal networks. We will always strive to prosecute those who would exploit drugs misuse and ensure they are held to account.’