Man found with £36k of cannabis at his home in Brighton jailed

Albert Frani, 27, of Rushlake Road in Brighton, was arrested after police found two large bags estimated to be worth up to £36,000 of cannabis in his house.

Officers from Brighton and Hove’s neighbourhood policing team investigated the Rushlake Road area after residents reported suspected drug dealing in the area.

Information was passed on to the tactical enforcement unit, who carried out house-to-house enquiries on Sunday, March 13.

Rushlake Road, Brighton

As Frani came to his front door, officers said they could hear fans whirring in the background and a significant smell of cannabis coming from the property.

A thermal imaging camera also detected an unusual amount of heat coming from inside.

Frani was detained while a search was carried out, which found four rooms filled with cannabis cultivation equipment and signs that dozens of plants had recently been harvested, as well as the two bags.

At Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, March 14, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison.

Cannabis found

Sergeant Penrose, of Brighton and Hove’s tactical enforcement unit, said: “This was a significant seizure of an illegal, harmful substance that came about thanks to members of the public reporting their concerns and excellent development by the Neighbourhood Policing Team.

“The public is our eyes and ears – they understand what issues are ongoing in their own communities and if they are reported to us, we will investigate and we will put measures in place to help.

Albert Frani, 27, of Rushlake Road in Brighton

“This is a perfect example of grassroots policing, developing information received from the public to promptly solve a problem in our local community.

“As always, the message remains that while we can’t be everywhere, we could be anywhere.

“Please report any concerns or crimes to us online, via 101 or by calling 999 in an emergency.”