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Man jailed for role as ‘caretaker’ of ‘significant’ cannabis crop in Newton home

A “significant” cannabis crop capable of continual production has been uncovered in an eastern suburban home – and its caretaker jailed. See the images.

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An Italian tourist looking for a better life in Australia has been jailed for accepting a role as caretaker of a “significant” cannabis crop found growing in an eastern suburbs home.

Gjergj Leka, 58, was the only person living at a two-storey house in Newton when police raided the home in August last year and uncovered 98 cannabis plants spread across four rooms on the upper level.

He had arrived in Australia in November 2022 on a tourist visa and applied for a student visa, but it was refused.

In sentencing, District Court Judge Ian Press said Leka was, in part, motivated to offend because he was not permitted to work in Australia on a tourist visa.

He said Leka had explained he was “approached by some people who informed you that you could live at the premises rent-free if you looked after the cannabis plants”.

He said the elaborate crop was clearly designed so that plants matured at different stages to ensure cannabis head was “available to be sold at different times”.

“The photographs indicate this was a successful criminal enterprise,” he said.

“I am satisfied this crop was intended to, and had the capacity to, produce significant amounts of cannabis to be unlawfully sold and distributed into the community.”

Italian tourist Gjergj Leka has been jailed for his role as caretaker of the crop. Picture: District Court.
Italian tourist Gjergj Leka has been jailed for his role as caretaker of the crop. Picture: District Court.
Images of the cannabis crop found at a Newton home. Picture: District Court.
Images of the cannabis crop found at a Newton home. Picture: District Court.

Leka pleaded guilty to a charge of cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis for his role as “the gardener and the caretaker” of the crop.

Judge Press said Leka, a father of two, had planned to relocate his family to Australia.

“That you were motivated to remain in Australia because you wanted a better life for your family is understandable. That you chose to commit a serious criminal offence in order to do so is neither justifiable nor acceptable,” he said.

Some of the cannabis plants found at the Newton home. Picture: District Court.,
Some of the cannabis plants found at the Newton home. Picture: District Court.,
Part of the elaborate set up found in the Newton home. Picture: District Court.,
Part of the elaborate set up found in the Newton home. Picture: District Court.,

He said there was a need to deter all people, including those on visas, from engaging in criminal activities, and that those employed to be gardeners allowed syndicate organisers “to remain at arms-length” and “reduces the risk that they will be arrested”.

“Involvement in activities which will benefit those who are participating in organised criminal activities must be deterred,” Judge Press said.

He said Leka’s willingness to be involved was “significant” and the “number of plants was substantial”, as was the potential profit from the crop.

He said Leka was born in Albania but escaped to Italy, where he lived for 27 years, before arriving in Australia. He faces deportation to Italy at the expiration of his sentence.

After a discount for his guilty plea Judge Press reduced a four year jail term to two years, seven months and seven days. He set a non-parole period of one year and four months.

The bedroom where Italian tourist Gjergj Leka slept while caring for the cannabis crop inside the Newton home. Picture: District Court.
The bedroom where Italian tourist Gjergj Leka slept while caring for the cannabis crop inside the Newton home. Picture: District Court.

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-sa/man-jailed-for-role-as-caretaker-of-significant-cannabis-crop-in-newton-home/news-story/78d5083363bbf7e4b282265fbbe1dac5