Man named and charged after 200 cannabis plants found at Southsea address

Police stormed a residential address in Henderson Road on Sunday November 2 before discovering the “cannabis factory”, as reported.

Two males and one female were arrested at the scene before being quizzed by police. Now the force has said Orgest Selimaj, 28, who is of no fixed address and originally from Albania, has been charged with being concerned in the production of a controlled drug of Class B and entering the UK without leave. He has been remanded into custody and is due to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on 1 December.

A 36-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man, both from Portsmouth who were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug of Class B – cannabis and cultivating cannabis plant, a Class B controlled drug, have been conditionally bailed until 2 February whilst enquiries continue.

A Portsmouth Police post on Facebook quoting chief inspector Sam Warne previously said: “A scene remains on with police presence at the address whilst we work to make the premises safe, gather evidence and remove somewhere in excess of 200 cannabis plants.

“Drug cultivation and supply of drugs in Portsmouth supports organised crime gangs who grip our communities with misery and violence and so it is essential that we target this area to make Portsmouth safer.

“I have never been one to sit back and let people control our communities and I won't change my style of policing now. You can fully expect to see more of this activity from my officers as we will continue to target those that cause the most harm to Portsmouth. Drug suppliers you are not welcome in Portsmouth.”