Albanian led gang jailed after web of country-wide cannabis grows busted in raids
An Albanian led drugs gang has been jailed after its web of cannabis grows were busted in raids across the country.
During a series of coordinated raids in Doncaster, Mansfield, Nottingham, King's Lynn, Birmingham and Sandiacre last year – cannabis with a street value estimated at more than £500,000 was discovered.
Officers were led to the addresses after months of investigation into the gang led by Albanian gang leader Egi Tafa.
The 24-year-old, along with right-hand man Mevlan Koci, teamed up with Derby-based drug dealer Stephen Perry to produce hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of cannabis.
The drugs were grown by a team of Albanian gardeners who tended to the drugs in properties across the UK.
The drugs, once cultivated, were then supplied to Midlands based dealers Brett Simpson and Callum Clarke who then sold to users across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Staffordshire.
After Clarke's arrest officers carried out further investigation into his drug dealing activities.
It was found that, as well as dealing large quantities of cannabis, Clarke was also a major cocaine dealer and was involved in the importation of the drug from Europe into the UK.
The four men were handed the following sentences after appearing at Derby Crown Court on 17 August:
• Egi Tafa, 24, of Calderdale, Nottingham was sentenced to five years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.
• Callum Clarke, 31, of Linnet Drive, Rainworth, Mansfield was sentenced to 10 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis, importation of cocaine and possession of a section 1 firearm.
• Stephen Perry, 29, of Smalley Drive, Derby was sentenced to three years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.
• Mevlan Koci, 29, of Calderdale, Nottingham was sentenced to two years and seven months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.
• Brett Simpson, 29, of Meadow Lane, Chaddesden, Derby was sentenced to two years and one month after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.
The following men were all jailed for their part as growers of the cannabis at the grows around the country at previous hearings:
• Mirand Koci, 31, of NFA was sentenced to 20 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.
• Drilon Losha, 24, Of NFA was sentenced to four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.
• Olsian Hysi, 27, of NFA was sentenced to four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.
• Egli Dobra, 25, of NFA was sentenced to four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.