Albanian national Orlando Kreka, 29, appeared from custody at Hamilton Sheriff Court.
Hamilton Sheriff Court.(Image: Hamilton Advertiser)
A cannabis gardener was caught as he tried to flee from a house in East Kilbride during a police raid.
Officers then found 157 plants worth £94,000 in bedrooms and the loft.
Albanian national Orlando Kreka, 29, appeared from custody at Hamilton Sheriff Court.
He admitted producing cannabis at a house in Paterson Terrace on February 5 this year.
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Kevin Morrow, prosecuting, said police officers got a search warrant for the property following a tip-off about illegal drug activity.
He told the court: “They forced entry through the front door and at this point the accused ran from the living room, opening the rear patio doors.
“But he was captured in the garden and handcuffed. No other persons were found.
“The house was searched and the officers found cannabis plants across four distinct growing areas.
“A total of 80 mature plants – all five feet tall and at the budding stage – were recovered from three bedrooms.
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“Another 77 medium-seized young plants were found in the loft.
“All four areas contained equipment necessary for the cultivation of cannabis plants.”
The officers also seized a rucksack that contained £760 in cash and an Albanian passport in Kreka’s name.
He made no comment when interviewed.
Mr Morrow said police experts estimated the plants would have yielded cannabis worth up to £94,200.
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Sheriff John Hamilton KC deferred sentence until May 29 for background reports.
Kreka, who has been held since his arrest, was again remanded in custody.
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