Eastern European drug gangs smashed by Welshpool police raids
Thirty-seven warrants have been executed across Mid Wales with “industrial-scale cannabis farms” found in Welshpool that contributed to more than £12 million worth of cannabis being taken out of the supply chain. Thirty-five arrests of mainly foreign nationals have been made.
The CID-led Operation Scotney will continue as ruthless gangs continue to eye the area for more derelict building to set up their operations from.
Explaining how the operation came to be, Detective Chief Inspector Rich Lewis, said: “Through proactive policing work taking place across the force, it came to our attention that a number of large-scale cannabis factories were being discovered in seemingly unconnected areas. We’re talking about thousands of plants being seized during each warrant, which for us was highly unusual.
“It was established fairly quickly that these factories were in fact linked, in that the people we suspected to be responsible were believed to have been recruited by organised crime gangs from outside the force area, hoping to go undetected in our rural towns.
“Given the size of the factories and the quantities of cannabis being discovered, we knew we needed to take firm action, and so Operation Scotney was launched at the beginning of 2024.”
Operation Scotney sees detectives, intelligence experts and proactive policing officers work together to establish where the factories are being set up, and to swoop in and disrupt them before the cannabis grows can be cultivated.
DCI Lewis explained that these factories are not being set up in hidden away places, where criminals can come and go undetected, but in public areas, town centres and even on the same street as a police station.
“What has been incredible, alongside the amount of cannabis we have discovered being grown, is the brazen approach those responsible have taken,” DCI Lewis said.
“We’ve seen former schools, empty shops, and a former newspaper office used as cannabis factories, and a number of these were in town centres where it would be very difficult to go unnoticed. This led us to believe the gangs are using bold tactics such as disguising themselves as construction workers or landlords to enter and leave these buildings without raising suspicions.
“Their tactic was to hide in plain sight - who would suspect that someone wearing a high visibility vest carrying large boxes into a disused building in broad daylight could be setting up a cannabis factory?
“The fact that 400 plants were found just four doors down from the police station in Newcastle Emlyn just goes to show their determination to carry out their criminal endeavours – but our determination to stop them is greater.”
Rather than becoming disillusioned by the size and scale of these cannabis factories, Dyfed-Powys Police said it is more committed than ever to eliminate the threat, with sources of intelligence scrutinised daily and plans quickly put in place where a new cannabis factory is suspected to have been set up.
Over the course of a year, of the 35 people arrested and charged under Operation Scotney, 29 have been jailed, four are awaiting sentencing, two are yet to enter a plea, and two additional people have been deported following arrest.
As officers continue their work, they are asking members of the public to be vigilant, to be aware of the signs that a cannabis factory is operating, and to report any concerns to the force.
“We have openly shared the results of Operation Scotney warrants, and will continue to do so as we enter 2025,” DCI Lewis said.
“It has proven to be a very successful operation so far, and we’re making great strides towards the force priority of making the Dyfed-Powys area hostile to those who deal drugs.
“We will continue our work to tackle the vulnerability posed by these gangs, and we will act on any intelligence supplied by the public that could assist us in achieving this aim.
“Alongside this, we will have a focus on those individuals enabling this criminal activity to take place in their properties. By this we mean investigating people renting or leasing premises without due diligence, those supplying electrical goods and hardware including hydroponics, and anyone profiting from this endeavour.”
Powys court results:
Dino Marku: Jailed for 18 months for the production of cannabis.
Former County Times building, Welshpool (second warrant):
Kastriot Gega: Jailed for six months for the production of cannabis.
Broad Street, Welshpool:
Alban Qemalli: Jailed for 22 months for being concerned in the production of cannabis.
High Street, Welshpool:
Kladji Toci: Jailed for 16 months for being concerned in the production of cannabis.
Former HSBC bank, Llandrindod Wells:
Two men deported following arrest.
Carmarthenshire court results:
King Street, Carmarthen:
Jurgen Kodra: Jailed for two years and four months for production of cannabis.
Old Llangunnor Road, Carmarthen:
Nurdin Hoxha: Charged with the production of cannabis - sentencing on March 7.
Gordon Road, Llanelli:
Argil Bushi: Jailed for 20 months for production of cannabis.
Aldi Xhaferri: Jailed for nine months for production of cannabis.
Blerjan Dedja: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.
Bigyn Road, Llanelli:
Franko Sulovari: Jailed for 18 months for production of cannabis.
Mountain Gate Inn, Ammanford:
Beni Mirashi: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.
Maes Y Wern, Carway:
Viktor Gjeloshi: Jailed for 15 months for production of cannabis.
Nikoll Necaj: Jailed for six months for production of cannabis.
Eduart Nenfusho: Jailed for 15 months for production of cannabis.
Vaughan Street, Llanelli
Hazis Rapi: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.
Ceredigion court results:
Alfred Perkola: Conspiracy to supply and possession with intent to supply cannabis. Sentencing on February 26, 2025.
Aldi Gjegjaj: Conspiracy to supply and possession with intent to supply cannabis. Sentencing on February 26, 2025.
Former Llandysul school (second warrant):
Armeld Troski: Jailed for 40 months for production of cannabis.
Njazi Gjana: Jailed for 30 months for production of cannabis.
Ervin Gjana: Jailed for 30 months for production of cannabis.
Pembrokeshire court results:
Honeyborough Industrial Estate, Neyland:
Zhupa Gentian: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.
Ergest Mucopata: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.
Albert Nikolla: Jailed for four years and three months for possession with intent to supply, and being involved in the supply of cocaine.
Pajtim Meta: Jailed for five years for possession with intent to supply and being involved in the supply of cocaine.
India Row, Monkton, Pembroke:
Sergej Zakacura: Jailed for seven years and three months for production of cannabis.
North Crescent, Haverfordwest:
Shahin Mustaj: Jailed for eight months for production of cannabis.
Treowen Road, Pennar, Pembroke Dock:
Ervis Kerciku: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.
JP Scaffolding yard, Honeyborough:
Flamur Vengo: Jailed for 24 months in prison for production of cannabis.
Nertil Dallenga: Jailed for 24 months for production of cannabis.
Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock:
Armando Beti: Jailed for two years and eight months for being concerned in the production of cannabis.
Main Street, Pembroke:
Amarildo Daja: Jailed for 12 months for being concerned in the production of cannabis.
Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock:
Esmirald Dedej: Charged with being concerned in the production of cannabis and remanded in custody.
Arsen Tanasica: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.
The most frequent signs of a cannabis factory are:
- HEAT: Cannabis plants need heat to grow. You may see condensation on windows or notice that ice and snow is missing on rooftops in the winter.
- SMELL: Cannabis plants have a strong smell, which is stronger in the last three months of growth.
- RUBBISH: Lots of ‘garden’ rubbish dumped outside such as plant pots, compost and empty plant food containers.
- LIGHT: Cannabis needs bright lights 24 hours a day to grow. You may also hear noise from fans.
- SECRECY: Windows might be covered up to hide illegal activity, or extra locks installed.
- ELECTRICITY: Your street may be suffering from frequent and unusual power cuts as electricity meters are bypassed.
- VISITORS: Are people coming and going, possibly at odd hours? Are the lights constantly on but nobody appears to be there?
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