15 men jailed after cannabis farm found in Liverpool warehouse
They're set to be deported after completing their sentences
15 men, who've been jailed after a cannabis farm was found in a Liverpool city centre warehouse, are set to be deported after completing their sentences.
Merseyside Police officers, whilst on patrol on 4 October, noticed a man acting suspiciously and trying to avoid being noticed on Kitchen Street.
He was searched and no drugs were found, there was an overwhelming smell of cannabis on him.
A cannabis farm was then found in a nearby warehouse with more than 650 plants growing in five separate rooms, with most of them ready to be harvested.
The 15 men pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of a controlled Class B drug and have been sentenced:
- Indrit Barhani, 37, of no fixed address, has been jailed for two years and two months, which includes six months for breaching a deportation order.
- Marius Bregova, 32, of Boswell Street, Middlesbrough, has been jailed for three years, which includes a sentence for an unrelated drug supply matter.
- Kristian Gega, 31, of Whitelaw Road, Southampton, has been jailed for one year and eight months.
- Kel Koni, 39, of Surrey Street, Middlesbrough, has been sentenced for two years and six months, including six months for breaching a deportation order.
- Leonard Nakja, 22, of Sincil Court, Lincoln, has been jailed for one year and eight months.
- Martin Ndoj, 27, of Rope Street, London, has been jailed for two years and three months.
- Nikoll Nika, 29, of Bush Street, Middlesborough, has been jailed for one year and one month.
- Preng Prenga, 40, of St Peters Road, Birmingham, has been jailed for one year and eight months.
- Ali Serjanaj, 23, of Crescent Road, Middlesbrough, has been jailed for two years and three months.
- Agunstin Shahini, 35, of no fixed address, has been jailed for two years and three months.
- Izmir Shira, 24, of no fixed address, has been jailed for one year and eight months.
- Ervis Shira, 28, of no fixed address, has been jailed for one year and eight months.
- Klevist Tafa, 27, of no fixed address, has been jailed for one year and ten months.
- Agunstin Tasha, 37, of no fixed address, has been jailed for two years and six months, including six months for breaching a deportation order.
- Rigers Giyla, 27, no fixed address, has been jailed for two years and three months.
Constable Tom Stretton, who led the investigation, said:
"This was a lengthy and complex investigation where we charged 21 men, and this case shows the scale and organisation that was involved to produce and supply drugs on Merseyside.
"This also highlights that it was part of a sophisticated crime group, and our investigation is ongoing as we will seek to bring those higher up the chain to justice."
Chief Inspector Steve Robinson, from Liverpool Targeted Policing, added:
"This was a sophisticated operation by an organised crime group and our investigation in connection with this criminality continues.
"In this instance, we have disrupted a chain of supply and taken cannabis worth several hundred thousand pounds off the streets and further afield, preventing them from damaging communities.
"No thought for anyone other than themselves"
"In addition, those involved in the cannabis farm had illegally abstracted electricity which posed a real danger to other properties in the vicinity and put people’s lives in danger by tinkering with the wiring and overloading plugs.
"Organised crime is hugely damaging to our communities, which often involves intimidation, violence and creating fear and it is these criminals who run County Lines.
"Criminals involved in organised crime have no thought for anyone other than themselves, and their criminal intent and greed."