
Ten Albanians in Belgium were sentenced to 30 months in prison and fined 8,000 euros for cultivating cannabis. The criminal court of Antwerp found evidence that they were involved in a cannabis plantation in Merksem.
Antwerp police had tracked down a terraced house on the Sint-Bartholomeusstraat in Merksem on July 17 after some local residents had noticed a smell of cannabis. A large shed was built behind the house, surrounded by glass. The roof window was open and officers also smelled cannabis.
During the search of the house on August 3, a plantation of 1,501 cannabis plants was found spread across four cultivation rooms. Nine men between the ages of 21 and 43 and one minor were dealing with cannabis. Fingerprints found at the scene revealed a tenth man. Eight of the defendants had come to Merksem on August 3 to help with the harvest.
The court found no evidence that they were aware of the electricity theft and found them not guilty of it. For growing cannabis, they received a year in prison and an 8,000 euro fine.
Emiljano D. and Danjel L. had been working on the plantation since June and July and were responsible, among other things, for the care of the plants. So, according to the court, they must have known that electricity was being stolen.
They must pay grid operator Fluvius almost 24,000 euros in compensation for the power theft.