Two men accused of cultivating cannabis near Lurgan are sent for trial to Craigavon Crown Court

The pair are both accused of cultivating cannabis at Colane Road, Aghagallon on June 10 last year. They also face a charge of possessing the Class B drug cannabis on the same date.

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They are Hajri Alia, aged 56, and Shpend Cerpia, aged 28, both with addresses at Colane Road, Lurgan.

The pair appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court for a Preliminary Enquiry.

Both charges were put to the men via an Albanian interpreter and they both said they understood the charges.

A prosecutor submitted that based on the papers before the court there is a prima facie case against both defendants.

Alia’s barrister, Mr Conor Lunny, and Cerpia’s barrister, Mr Paul Burn, conceded there is a prima facie case against their clients. Both defendants declined to say anything or submit anything in writing in relation to the charges.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan determined there is a prima facie case.

Both defendants were sent for trial to Craigavon Crown Court with arraignment on September 8.

The district judge certified for counsel for each of the defendant in the crown court.

When asked if the defendants understood that their arraignment was in September, one of the defendants said he did but said it was “too far away” and could they not get a date closer.

District Judge Ranaghan explained that in this jurisdiction the crown courts don’t operate during July and August as they enter a “long vacation”.