A non-descript house on one of Reading's busiest roads was turned into a secret cannabis farm, a court has been told.

The property, on the corner between Southampton Street and Pell Street just a stone's throw from the Oracle, was raided by police on January 15, 2021, after suspicions were raised. 

At a trial this week, the court heard how the cannabis farm could allegedly produce up to 21kg of the class B drug. 

Police discovered that the house - which is next to but separate from The Old Furniture Shop - had been set up a cannabis grow.

Xhevahir Bushi and Bajram Neli are on trial at Reading Crown Court accused of offences relating to the farm.

Bushi denies one count of supplying a controlled drug of class B to others on or before January 15 2021, while Neli denies one count of supplying a controlled drug of class B and one count of producing cannabis on the same date.

Judge Amjad Nawaz, summarising the evidence in the case, said police had discovered “plants at various stages of growth”.

The judge said there was enough at the property for not just one harvest, but up to four harvest. It was expected to yield 21 kilograms of cannabis, the court heard. 

Prosecutors had claimed both Bushi and Neli were involved in the operation and the court heard they had been being observed for an unknown period of time, but certainly since December 2020.

One particular incident which was witnessed by officers was one where Bushi had picked up Neli and another individual and driven them to the Southampton Street address and then dropped off boxes.

“They went into a premises and came out with more boxes, both boxes were placed into Mr Bushi’s car”, the judge said. “The car was driven away and it went to Southampton Street.”

Bushi, 51 and of Tyso Avenue in Enfield, said he had a business in Reading, a car wash premises on Oxford Road.

The married father-of-three said he had only driven to the Southampton Street address because Neli asked him to.

Summarising his evidence, Judge Nawaz said: “He did it under instructions of Mr Neli. He had no idea what was in the boxes. He had no idea why he wanted a lift.”

Neli, 32 and of Prescott Road, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, also he claimed he did not know was in the boxes, stating he did not enter the address but merely passed the boxes to someone else.

The trial continues.