Two men have been jailed after a “sophisticated” £777,000 cannabis farm was discovered in a former nightclub in an Aberdeenshire town.

The production operation was found in the former Deja Vu venue in Peterhead in September last year.

Albanian nationals Iraldo Sarasellil and Ronaldo Abazi, both 26, admitted their involvement at Peterhead Sheriff Court.

Sarasellil was jailed for a total of four years, and Abazi for three-and-a-half years.

Fiscal depute Ruaridh McAllister, prosecuting for the Crown, said the premises in question was a vacant nightclub that had previously been a cinema.

He said police received intelligence that a cannabis cultivation was inside.

Officers forced entry through a fire door, and found two levels were being used for the “sophisticated” two-level set-up, with lighting, ventilation and electricity supply.

The former nightclub dancefloor and the former cinema section of the building had been turned over to the cultivation of the plants.

Abazi was found inside while Sarasellil was detained while trying to escape through a window.

A total of 960 cannabis plants were found as well as a large number of lamps, switchboards and thermometers.

The fiscal depute said the maximum potential value of the drugs was £777,600.

Sarasellil and Abazi both admitted producing cannabis and being concerned in its supply.

Sarasellil further admitted that in July last year he had knowingly entered the UK in breach of a deportation order by an illegal small boat crossing from France, contrary to the Immigration Act.

Sarasellil’s defence solicitor, Iain Jane, said he had initially come to the UK illegally as he wanted to start a new life, but was deported.

He was in debt and was offered the opportunity to return but had suspicions about the type of work that would be involved.

Sarasellil said the production of the cannabis was underway when he arrived.

Abazi had told officers he was not involved in trafficking, but was just watering the cannabis plants.

His solicitor, Sam Milligan, said he had no previous convictions, and described Abazi as being “at the base of the pyramid”. Both men said they had faced threats to get them involved..

Sheriff Annella Cowan said the potential value of the drugs had to be considered.

She jailed Sarasellil for a total of four years, including six months for the deportation breach, with Abazi sentenced to three-and-a-half years.