Mechelen (The Brussels morning Newspaper): Two Albanian men received suspended sentences for running a large cannabis farm and stealing electricity to power it, highlighting the use of rental cars by criminal networks.
The court in Mechelen sentenced two Albanian men to two years in prison, but their sentences were suspended. They were found guilty of running a cannabis farm and stealing electricity. The police began investigating them during a routine check and became suspicious when they noticed the men were driving a rental car from a company that often rents to people involved in crime. Further investigation revealed that the men had made significant modifications to the property to grow a large number of cannabis plants. To support their illegal operation, they were stealing electricity by bypassing the meter to power their growing equipment, such as lights and ventilation systems.
What factors led to suspended sentences for Mechelen cannabis farm duo?
The court considered how serious the men’s actions were, especially since they ran an organized cannabis farm and stole electricity, which created safety risks. Although they committed a crime, the judge gave them a suspended sentence, meaning they won’t go to prison unless they commit another offense during a set probation period. This decision was likely influenced by factors like their lack of prior convictions and their cooperation during the investigation. The case also highlights a broader issue of rental cars being used by criminal networks, prompting law enforcement to pay closer attention to these vehicles during routine checks.
The police tracked the two men’s phones to an empty house in Willebroek. There, they found 823 cannabis plants in four rooms and another 200 plants drying in the garage. They also discovered that the electricity meter had been tampered with. The prosecutor said the plants were meant for selling, not for personal use. The two men weren’t the main leaders those were a Greek man and an Italian woman living abroad. The court convicted the men for growing and selling the plants and for stealing electricity. Besides their prison sentence, they also have to pay a fine of 8,000 euros, with 800 euros due right away.
