Jail for Peterborough men caught at city cannabis factory

Police carried out a warrant in Eastfield Road on 23 January and forced entry through a rear door.

As they did so, 34-year-old Tomas Banys tried to escape through the front door but came face-to-face with two police officers blocking the entry.

Despite being told to stop, Banys forced his way passed the officers, assaulting one in the process.

Banys was detained and arrested as officers inside the house found bedrooms converted into cannabis growing rooms where a substantial amount had already been harvested.

A drugs expert later estimated the cannabis to have a ‘street’ value of more than £206,000.

While officers were dismantling the factory, a second man arrived – 33-year-old Nerijus Kapsevicius – who was named on some post found at the address, therefore he was also arrested.

The car Kapsevicius arrived in was searched and further cannabis plants worth £37,500 were found.

A search of his home in Cookson Walk, Yaxley, found several jars of cannabis inside a shed, as well as other items relating to cannabis cultivation and distribution.

Both men were charged with producing cannabis, which they admitted in court last month (February). Banys, of Eastfield Road, also admitted a charge of assaulting an emergency worker.

They appeared at Peterborough Crown Court yesterday (Monday 21 March) where Banys was jailed for three years and four months, while Kapsevicius was jailed for three years and nine months.

PC Lauren Clark, who investigated, said: “The majority of our communities do not want to see drugs in their neighbourhoods, together with associated crime and anti-social behaviour, there are children right now, here on our streets who are being forced to conceal drugs and sell them or fear being seriously hurt.

“We will continue to crack down on this type of crime and I would urge anyone who thinks a property in their area is being used to deal or produce drugs, to contact us so we can take action.”