Hundreds of illicit cannabis farms, many hidden within residential homes across the United Kingdom, are being operated by Albanian organized crime groups, according to a six-month investigation. These operations have become a cornerstone of the UK's estimated £2.6 billion annual cannabis trade.
The investigation identified at least 450 Albanian-run cannabis farms nationwide, though the actual number is believed to be higher. This figure is based on an analysis of police records and press reports indicating an average of two new cannabis farms being discovered or raided weekly over the past four years. The trend shows no sign of abating.
More than two-thirds of these identified Albanian-run cannabis factories are situated in residential properties, stretching from Cornwall to the Scottish Highlands. However, illicit grows have also been established in a variety of non-residential locations, including abandoned schools, college campuses, care homes, nightclubs, cinemas, and former high street retail spaces like empty bank branches and department stores.
The criminal enterprise is closely linked to illegal migration into the UK. Approximately 70 percent of the 620 Albanians convicted for roles in these drug operations over the last four years were found to be illegal immigrants. Some Albanian gangs have reportedly organized their own small-boat crossings across the English Channel to transport workers and their families for their operations.
The sophistication of these criminal networks extends to ancillary industries that support their activities. These include operations that produce fraudulent documents necessary for renting properties. An undercover investigation revealed a business advertising on TikTok that offers fake UK passports, driving licenses, bank statements, and utility bills for sale. An operator, identified as Ramiz, was recorded providing fake documents to an undercover reporter for £200 in cash in Nottingham.
Numerous cases highlight the use of these fake documents. In one instance, two brothers used a large number of fraudulent documents to rent 13 homes for cannabis production, generating nearly £1 million. Another Albanian man used a fake Italian identity to rent 12 properties across Scotland for cannabis factories valued at £3.8 million.
Once a property is secured, gangs typically conduct two to four harvests, each lasting around three months, before relocating. Prior to vacating, they attempt to clean the premises to remove forensic evidence such as DNA and fingerprints. This has led to the rise of specialized 'cannabis factory clean-up' companies. One such company, identified as 'House Cleaning Jobs,' has posted social media footage of its workers cleaning numerous cannabis houses. Its owner, who identified himself as Tanushi, stated that his business, which he started after running his own cannabis factory, could clean two houses in five days.
The profits generated are substantial, with leaders of some gangs amassing significant wealth, evidenced by luxury vehicles and expensive watches. Even lower-level workers have been found living with amenities like stocked kitchens and gyms, or spending proceeds on prostitutes and attempting to purchase asylum documents.
The impact on local communities includes violence and terror, with weapons such as guns, knives, and machetes frequently discovered at grow sites. The operations also pose significant fire and explosion risks due to illegal electricity bypasses, with at least 640 fires at cannabis farms reported between 2019 and mid-2024, resulting in multiple deaths.
Despite convictions, the system faces challenges. Some individuals convicted of running cannabis farms have been deported only to re-enter the UK and resume criminal activities. There have also been instances of lenient sentencing by judges, with some defendants receiving suspended sentences or minimal jail time due to factors like asylum application delays or claims of being exploited.