Three plead guilty after cannabis factory discovery in Eastbourne

Friday, 5 December 2025 05:00

Three men have pleaded guilty after a cannabis factory was discovered in Eastbourne.

Police attended a building in Hawthorn Road in the early hours of Sunday, 30 November, following suspicions that cannabis was being cultivated on the premises.

Officers entered the building and found a large quantity of plants and growing equipment. The electricity meter had also been bypassed.

A search for those responsible then took place. Two men were detained nearby, while a third attempted to evade police by climbing onto the roof. The roof gave way, and he fell into a separate business below.

He was arrested and taken to hospital, and following treatment was discharged and escorted to custody.

On Monday, December 1, Mikel Luku, 22, and Ronaldo Pepa, 23, and Idriz Xhetani, 26, all of no fixed address, were charged with being concerned in the production of a Class B drug.

Luku and Pepa appeared at Brighton Magistrates' Court later the same day where they pleaded guilty to the offence.

Xhetani appeared at Brighton Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, December 2 and also pleaded guilty.

All three men have been remanded into custody, and will appear at Lewes Crown Court on Monday, January 5, 2026, to be sentenced.

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