DRUG dealers have been jailed after almost 200 cannabis plants were found inside a Colchester property.

At around 9.10am on Wednesday 14 August, Colchester’s Community Policing Team carried out a warrant in Walnut Drive where the arrested Edison Tahiri, 26, and Emiljan Zejneli, 29.

Inside the property, officers found a huge cannabis grow, finding a total of 197 plants, several large bags of dried cannabis, and cash.

Tahiri and Zejneli, both of no fixed address appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday September 12, where they admitted to producing cannabis.

They each received 16 months in prison.

After they were jailed, investigating officer PC Shaun Hammond, of Colchester CPT, said: “We carried out this warrant after listening to the concerns of the community before arresting two men involved in drug activity.

“We seized dozens of cannabis, equipment used in cannabis production and criminally gained cash, helping to keep Colchester’s communities safer.

“We will actively continue to identify and close down these operations and bring to justice those involved in the production and supply of controlled drugs which we know can bring misery to our communities.”

Charges for abstracting electricity will remain on file and the cannabis plants, the equipment used and the cash we found at the property have been seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.