A MAN who was tasked with looking after a cannabis farm in Barrow has been sent to prison for 15 months.

Afrim Zoga, of no fixed abode, was found by police following a raid on a property in Storey Square on July 30.

The farm contained 251 cannabis plants, Preston Crown Court was told.

The 41-year-old admitted to the charge of production of cannabis but denied playing a significant role in the process. He claimed he was tasked with maintaining the property in which the farm was housed.

Stephen Parker, speaking on behalf of the prosecution, described how nine rooms had been converted into a cannabis production floor and a room in the attic was made for basic living facilities.

"251 plants were found in what are deemed to be in three stages of production," Mr Parker said.

"78 of those were ready to be cultivated and 85 were at the start of the mid stage.

"There were 88 seedlings.

"This was a professional and organised set-up.

"Nine kilogrammes of the drug could be expected from the 251 plants. Three kilogrammes could be expected from those capable of being cultivated at the time.

"The lowest street value for the total amount would be £36,000 and the highest value would be £90,000."

Philip Holden, mitigating, said Zoga had no control over the plants but was merely maintaining the facility.

"The defendant had a limited role in what was going on but did not have any control over the plants," Mr Holden said.

"He came over to this country in a wagon two years ago and he was brought to Cumbria by a person he had met.

"He wants to return home to his wife and children and he has indicated that he will not seek an application for asylum."

Recorder Cornell, presiding over the matter, suggested Zoga must have had some form of knowledge of the operation and had financial gain due to the fact he had access to the property and could leave at any time.

Responding, the defence claimed he had been "pressured and coerced" into this after being told by the higher ups that they knew where his wife and family lived in Albania.

The judge considered the mitigation and the aggravating features but decided to send Zoga to prison for 15 months.

It is possible there will be an order made for deportation in the near future, the court was told.