Eight people have been sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court today for their part in bringing large quantities of cannabis to the streets of South Wales.
The convictions are the culmination of Operation Pristina, a two and a half year police operation targeting the supply of drugs into South Wales by an organised crime group.
In February last year, in a joint operation involving 130 officers from three police forces – South Wales, Gwent and Avon and Somerset and staff from the National Crime Agency – simultaneous arrests took place across the three force areas, including raids in Cardiff, Newport, Bristol and Bath.
Further properties in Swansea (12 addresses mostly in the Brynmill and Townhill areas), Cardiff, Pontypridd and Newport were also raided as cannabis factories.
In total officers seized 7,500 cannabis plants worth an estimated £3.5m, around £25,000 in cash and a Bentley motor car.
The following six defendants all pleaded guilty at Newport Crown Court to Conspiracy to produce controlled drugs, contrary to S1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977.
- Alban Boka – sentenced to 10 years
- Altin Boka – sentenced to 3 years, 4 months
- Ignis Asllanaj – sentenced to 8 years, 6 months
- Blerim Nela – sentenced to 3 years, 6 months
- Julian Deliu – sentenced to 3 years
- Elvis Fikaj – sentenced to 2 years
In addition, Alban Boka and Ignis Asllanaj each pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing a prohibited firearm, contrary to S5(1)(ABA), Firearms Act 1968; possessing expanding ammunition, contrary to S5(1A)(F), Firearms Act 1968 and possessing live ammunition without a firearm certificate, contrary to S1(1)(B), Firearms Act 1968.
The following two defendants pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to produce controlled drugs, contrary to S1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977.but were found guilty following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
- Eleri Cosslett – sentenced to 3 years
- Adam Musson – sentenced to 5 years
Detective Superintendent Dorian Lloyd, Head of the Force Intelligence and Organised Crime Unit (FIOCU) at South Wales Police said: “Operation Pristina was put in place to target individuals believed to be involved in the cultivation and supply of controlled drugs across south Wales and the west of England.
“The arrest and conviction of this crime group shows that South Wales Police will continue to pursue those who traffic drugs into our communities. The success of this investigation was as a direct result of South Wales Police personnel working alongside our communities to target such criminality.”
He added: “The sentences passed today give a clear and unequivocal message to those involved in the supply of controlled drugs and organised crime in South Wales. Our aim is to ensure that our communities remain safe and free from such criminality and we will continue to relentlessly pursue those involved in organised crime and bring them to justice.”
Catrin Evans, Head of the Complex Casework Unit for the Crown Prosecution Service Wales said: “In recent months, the criminal justice agencies across Wales have had sustained success in prosecuting gangs involved in the supply of drugs. Large numbers of drug dealers have been brought before the courts and handed lengthy custodial sentences.
“Drugs are a blight on our local communities and we cannot and will not allow the activities of drugs gangs to go unpunished. The message to drugs dealers is clear – we have dedicated and professional teams of investigators and prosecutors across Wales who will work tirelessly to bring you to justice.”
