A hearing for two men accused of being involved in a large cannabis farm in a derelict building in Ipswich town centre has been adjourned to obtain an interpreter for them.

Before Ipswich Crown Court on Monday via a prison video link were Kledis Zefi, 23, and Llazar Lepuri, 21, both of no fixed address.

Zefi has admitted producing cannabis and Lepuri has yet to enter a plea to the charge.

The hearing was adjourned until February 17 to allow an interpreter to attend. Both defendants are in custody.

Officers executed a pre-planned warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act at a derelict business premises in Carr Street in December.

It was discovered that cannabis was being grown across four floors inside the building and the defendants were arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation and were taken to Martlesham police station for questioning.

After the discovery, Ipswich council executive member John Cook urged residents to contact the police if they have concerns about similar activities in the town.

He said: “In addition to illegal drugs getting on to our streets, there are other dangers: fire risk from dangerous wiring and excessive energy use, criminal exploitation of vulnerable people and potential for criminal violence between rival cartels.”