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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Illegal immigrant behind £6M cannabis farm in abandoned WH Smith in Scots town jailed
AN ILLEGAL immigrant caught working in a £6million cannabis factory located in a former WH Smith shop has been jailed for three years and three months. Petrit Gjuraj, 24, paid £20,000 to come from Albania to work in a large-scale drugs cultivation plant in an ex retail outlet in High Street, Kirkcaldy, Fife. 3 Petrit Gjuraj worked at a £6million cannabis factory in Kirkcaldy, Fife Credit: Alamy 3 The cultivation was in a former WH Smith store on the town's High Street Credit: YouTube/Shepherd Chartered Surveyors 3 Gjuraj has been imprisoned for three years and three months Credit: Shepherd Chartered Surveyors The High Court in Edinburgh heard how he was arrested after police raided the premises in 2022. The court heard how officers who searched the three-storey building found a total of 1,330 cannabis plants, which were being grown on every floor. Workers slept in a small area which consisted of three double mattresses. The court also heard detectives also found a large TV which showed live CCTV footage from a camera located at the back of the premises which focused on the back door. Drugs squad officers found the cannabis being grown there could have netted the organised crime group responsible for the plant a total of £6,596,800. The story emerged after the accused pleaded guilty to earlier this year to being concerned in cultivating cannabis between March and May 2022 before judge Lord Scott. Today, Gjuraj, of Paisley, Renfrewshire, appeared before Lord Scott for sentencing, who said that the offence was so serious that he needed to go to prison. Passing sentence, Lord Scott said: 'This was a sophisticated operation. You were involved for a period of two months. 'You deny playing a leading role. But the extent of the operation must have been apparent to you - you were locked inside with the drugs. 'It is clear that in all the circumstances that a custodial sentence is the only appropriate disposal.' Evil killer butchered girlfriend before severing head & trying to dismember her at Scots flat At a hearing last month, Lord Scott heard about the moment police arrested Gjuraj, an Albanian national. Prosecutor Alan Cameron KC said: 'Police Scotland received intelligence that cannabis was being cultivated within the three storey, disused premises at 183-187 High Street, Kirkcaldy. 'Police cars arrived at the front and rear of the premises to search them. Police cars arrived at the front and rear of the premises. 'The accused and three other males were seen from the police helicopter exiting onto the roof of the building via a fire escape and running west along the roof of he adjacent building via a fire escape and running west along the roof the adjacent building. 'It became apparent to officers that the males had no means of escape. After the males made a few attempts to conceal themselves, they were observed to be engaging with the officers and a ladder was requested. 'The males descended the ladder in turn nd were detained by the officers on the street.' According to Google Maps, the premises raided by police used to be occupied by a branch of WH Smith. A branch of clothing giants New Look was once located close by as was a branch of Waterstones. Mr Cameron told the court that the accused told police that he had paid a person in Albania £20,000 to come to the UK. Mr Cameron added: 'The arrangement was that should he not carry out the work then his family in Albania would have to sell their property to repay the debt. 'He made his own way to Belgium and then hid in a lorry and by hiding in the lorry was able to enter the UK. 'He worked in London before moving to Scotland, where he worked for two months in the building where he was subsequently found by the police. 'He is an Albanian national who has no legal entitlement to be in the UK. The usual national referral mechanism checks were made with the Home Office and it was determined he had not ben trafficked.' The court heard that the premises raided by the police were set up for 'maximum cannabis cultivation' - officers reckon the OCG spent £70,000 on cultivation. Detectives recovered 392 cannabis plants from the ground floor, 740 plants from the first floor and 146 plants from the top floor. Mr Cameron added: 'If the cannabis cultivated was sold in one eighth deals that would amount to approximately 164,920 deals at £40 per deal. This would have yielded approximately £6,596,800. 'STOP officers offer the opinion the accused was trusted by an organised crime group which had invested in the production of the cannabis and would have yielded significant sums from its onward sales.' On Thursday, defence solicitor advocate Donna Maitland told the court that her client slept on a mattress in a "locked factory". She said: "He didn't have any keys and was not able to leave. He was terrified of getting into trouble from the gang." "There were regular threats to kill him and his family if he did not do what he was told. He tells me this has been his first involvement in the legal system." "He was exploited and had no influence on those above him in the chain," she said. Ms Maitland also said his position was that he was trafficked to the UK to work off a debt. A debt of almost pounds 20,000 was amassed through medical bills for his mother. She said: "It is clear he is remorseful and is very anti drugs.' Gjuraj was then taken into custody.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Full list of bargain retail chain set to shut Scots stores for good – with massive closing down sale launched
Read on to check out some of the incredible bargains SHUTTERS DOWN Full list of bargain retail chain set to shut Scots stores for good – with massive closing down sale launched Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Original Factory Shop is closing several Scottish stores as a closing-down sale is launched. The discount department store has slashed the prices on everything, from clothing to gardening tools to toys. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The Original Factory Shop in Peterhead Credit: Savills 4 The bargain retailer has a store in Perth Credit: Shepherd Chartered Surveyors 4 The popular chain has an outlet in Arbroath Credit: Shepherd Chartered Surveyors Clothing rails have been tagged with percentage-off signs as high as 30 per cent off. TOFS in Cupar, Fife, is packed with pretty dresses, linen pieces, and jeans. Elsewhere in Scotland, branches in Perth, Arbroath and Peterhead will pull the shutters down for the final time on June 28. And the chain is also selling stores north of the border, including in Nairn, Troon, Blairgowrie and Castle Douglas. There are also huge discounts across all footwear in the store - from trainers to heels. Over in the men's section, there is an abundance of polo shirts, gym vests, and t-shirts. SCOTTISH CLOSURES CLOSURES: Perth Arbroath Peterhead Cupar FOR SALE: Nairn, Troon Blairgowrie Castle Douglas It's worth stocking up on cleaning products and household essentials as they have a 10 per cent reduction on the price. For those sweet-toothed shoppers, there are plenty of deals across all confectionery. Photos of the sale went on the Cupar store's Facebook with the caption: "Up to 11 TOFS stores are already to set to close this month, including sites across Worcestershire, Durham and Cumbria." Meanwhile, another five stores across Nairn, Market Drayton, Troon, Blairgowrie and Castle Douglas have been placed up for sale. End of an Era: Aldo's Iconic Chip Shop Closes After 30 Years The Original Factory Shop has told The Sun that negotiations are ongoing with landlords - making it unclear whether these shops will remain open. It comes as part of a major restructuring carried out by new owner Modella Capital with a number of loss-making stores having to close as result. Over June nine of these stores will close, including sites in Dorest and Durham. Another site in Middlewich is also set to close however a date is yet to be confirmed.
The National
12-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Inverness radio station up for sale after closure announced
The building which houses the local radio station MFR, Inverness, has been put up for sale after its owners, Bauer Media, announced plans to vacate the building due to cutbacks. The building, in Scorguie Place, housed the station for a number of years before Bauer Media stopped producing locally made shows late last year. The decision to scale back local broadcasting was reportedly seen as controversial by Inverness residents at the time and was only made possible after the last UK government revised radio laws. READ MORE: Housing developer accused of 'vandalism' after 137 trees 'massacred' The previous Tory administration changed the amount of locally produced content needed through the Media Act 2024 to relax the content and format requirements for commercial radio, which resulted in the subsequent announcement that the MFR station would close in 2025. The station still continues to broadcast, but its programs are now produced in the central belt, with only local news bulletins and traffic updates still created locally. The building which houses the radio station, along with its grounds, have now been put up for sale for offers over £325,000. Neil Calder, partner at Shepherd Chartered Surveyors, said: 'The property has most recently operated as a radio station and is suitable for a range of alternative uses which may present a redevelopment opportunity, subject to securing the appropriate planning consent. Early entry is available.' (Image: Shepherd Chartered Surveyors) The advert for the sale of the building describes it as currently configured to suit its former use as a radio broadcasting facility, and includes a reception area, multiple studios and recording booths, a range of office and meeting rooms, an engineering and workshop space, a library, a newsroom, along with staff welfare facilities. It added that the 5745 sq ft property is located on a 0.77-acre site with the building positioned toward the south-eastern corner, with access from Scorguie Place leading to a car park situated north of the building. Surveyors are marketing the site as having potential for redevelopment due to its location in a residential area.
Daily Record
11-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Popular Dumfries takeaway put up for sale just months after refurbishment
Lochside Fish and Chips has been running for nearly 60 years and has now been put on the market. A popular Dumfries takeaway has been put up for sale just months after undergoing a major refurbishment. Lochside Fish and Chips is being marketed through Shepherd Chartered Surveyors. Associate at Shepherd, Fraser Carson, said: 'The business has traded continuously for nearly 60 years, and the current owner is reluctantly seeking a sale due to an unforeseen change in personal circumstance. 'Income is generated from a loyal local customer base along with trade gathered from the high volume of passing traffic. 'The business presents a genuine opportunity to build upon a steadfast turnover through a return to full trading hours, diversification of the menu and introduction of a home delivery service. 'All trade equipment is owned outright and is to be included as part of the proposed sale.' Lochside Fish and Chips is just off the A76 and A75. The property features a sales area, two prep areas as well as kitchen, office, stores, staff welfare and a private patio that could be used for outdoor seating. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The refurbishment, which was finished in April, included a new roof and sales frontage as well as new floor coverings and internal linings. The property has also been fully rewired and many pieces of equipment have been replaced, with the frying range and extraction system fully reconditioned. For further information or to arrange a viewing, call 01387 264333.
Scottish Sun
28-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Inside £6m Scots weed factory run by illegal immigrant in former WH Smith store
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAN who paid £20,000 to come illegally to Britain became a key player in a £6 million cannabis factory located on a busy Scots high street, a court heard. Petrit Gjuraj, 24, was arrested after police nabbed him at a former branch of WH Smith on High Street, Kirkcaldy, in 2022. 4 A weed farm was set up in a former WH Smith store Credit: YouTube/Shepherd Chartered Surveyors 4 Police Scotland found a total of 1,330 cannabis plants Credit: Getty (stock image) 4 The criminals set up CCTV in the former stationery store Credit: YouTube/Shepherd Chartered Surveyors The High Court in Edinburgh heard how officers who searched the three-storey building found a total of 1,330 cannabis plants, which were being grown on every floor. Workers slept in a small area which consisted of three double mattresses. The court also heard detectives also found a large TV which showed live CCTV footage from a camera located at the back of the premises which focused on the back door. Drugs squad officers found the cannabis being grown there could have netted the organised crime group responsible for the plant a total of £6,596,800. On Wednesday, judge Lord Scott heard about the moment police arrested Gjuraj, an Albanian national. Prosecutor Alan Cameron KC said: 'Police Scotland received intelligence that cannabis was being cultivated within the three storey, disused premises at 183-187 High Street, Kirkcaldy. 'Police cars arrived at the front and rear of the premises to search them. Police cars arrived at the front and rear of the premises. 'The accused and three other males were seen from the police helicopter exiting onto the roof of the building via a fire escape and running west along the roof of he adjacent building via a fire escape and running west along the roof the adjacent building. 'It became apparent to officers that the males had no means of escape. After the males made a few attempts to conceal themselves, they were observed to be engaging with the officers and a ladder was requested. 'The males descended the ladder in turn nd were detained by the officers on the street.' Brit teen facing life in prison after being 'caught with 14kg of cannabis' in her luggage after huge airport arrest The story emerged after Gjuraj, of Paisley, Renfrewshire, pleaded guilty to being concerned in cultivating cannabis at the premises between March and May 2022. According to Google Maps, the premises raided by police used to be occupied by a branch of WH Smith. A branch of clothing giants New Look was once located close by as was a branch of Waterstones. Mr Cameron told the court that the accused told police that he had paid a person in Albania £20,000 to come to the UK. 4 An illegal immigrant ran a cannabis farm inside a WH Smith in Kirkcaldy Credit: Google Mr Cameron added: 'The arrangement was that should he not carry out the work then his family in Albania would have to sell their property to repay the debt. 'He made his own way to Belgium and then hid in a lorry and by hiding in the lorry was able to enter the UK. 'He worked in London before moving to Scotland where he worked for two months in the building where he was subsequently found by the police. 'He is an Albanian national who has no legal entitlement to be in the UK. "The usual national referral mechanism checks were made with the Home Office and it was determined he had not ben trafficked.' The court heard that the premises raided by the police were set up for 'maximum cannabis cultivation' - officers reckon the OCG spent £70,000 on cultivation. Detectives recovered 392 cannabis plants from the ground floor, 740 plants from the first floor and 146 plants from the top floor. Mr Cameron added: 'If the cannabis cultivated was sold in one eighth deals that would amount to approximately 164,920 deals at £40 per deal. This would have yielded approximately £6,596,800. 'STOP officers offer the opinion the accused was trusted by an organised crime group which had invested in the production of the cannabis and would have yielded significant sums from its onward sales.' Lord Scott remanded Gjuraj, in custody ahead of a sentencing hearing next month. Lord Scott told the accused he needed to obtain report on his background before he could proceed to sentence. He said: 'You have pleaded guilty to a very serious charge. A prison sentence is inevitable here. 'This was clearly a very significant drugs operation carried out on behalf of an organised crime group. 'The agreed narrative tells me that you must have been a person trusted by the serious organised crime group.' Gjuraj will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on June 19 2025.
