Two Men Jailed Over £500k Limestone Road Cannabis Factory

Two men have been handed 24-month sentences at Belfast Crown Court following the discovery of a sophisticated, industrial-scale cannabis factory on Limestone Road in North Belfast.

Faroz Ahmed, 34, of Cromwell Road in South Belfast, and Shahidullah Arghandabi, 27, of Popes Lane in London, were both sentenced to 24 months, divided equally between 12 months in custody and 12 months on supervised licence. Ahmed had previously pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis and possessing criminal property (£2,280 in cash), while Arghandabi admitted a single count of cultivating cannabis.

The court heard that the large commercial unit on Limestone Road had originally been leased in February 2024 to a London-based company called 'Just Meet and Eat'. Modification plans were submitted and a lease was signed, with the landlord having no initial suspicions of illicit activity. However, during a property inspection on June 7, 2024, the landlord discovered the large-scale drugs setup and immediately alerted police.

Upon entering the property, officers uncovered an extensive operation equipped with living quarters designed to house at least four people. Police seized 553 mature flowering cannabis plants, 357 seedling plants, hundreds of plant pots, and 47 bags of plant cuttings. Authorities estimated the street value of the crop to be between £110,000 and £497,000.

The investigation moved quickly after a vigilant member of the public photographed a Renault van leaving the premises with four men inside. Police subsequently intercepted the vehicle at Holywood train halt in County Down, finding Ahmed inside alongside five plastic bags filled with cannabis plants and £2,280 in cash.

Inquiries revealed that co-accused Arghandabi had transported key equipment—including electrical boards, fans, and filters—in a Ford Transit van via the Cairnryan ferry to Belfast in March 2024. He was later arrested in London.

Defending barristers highlighted that neither man was a mastermind behind the enterprise. Ahmed's role was described as low-level logistics, such as buying food and running errands, while Arghandabi was involved at the very bottom rung of the operation by transporting equipment. Both expressed remorse for their actions.

Passing sentence, Belfast Recorder Judge Philip Gilpin emphasised that unlawful drug operations cause substantial harm across the community. Alongside the custodial terms, the judge ordered the destruction of all seized drugs and equipment. The confiscated £2,280 in cash was ordered to be handed over to a drug prevention charity.