Drug gang jailed after cannabis grows raided

POLICE FOUND PLANTS WITH STREET VALUE OF MORE THAN £500K

A DRUGS gang has been jailed after its web of cannabis grows were busted in raids across the country.

During a series of co-ordinated 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.

Stephen Perry teamed up with Albanian gang leader Egi Tafa and his right-hand man Mevlan Koci to produce the cannabis.

The plants were grown by a team of Albanian gardeners who tended to them in properties across the UK.

The cannabis was then supplied to dealers Brett Simpson and Callum Clarke, who sold to users across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire.

The men were sentenced at Derby Crown Court on Tuesday.

Egi Tafa, aged 24, of Calderdale, Nottingham was sentenced to five years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Drug dealer Callum Clarke of Linnet Drive, Rainworth, Mansfield was also found to be a major cocaine dealer involved in the importation of the drug from Europe.

The 31-year-old 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, 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 no fixed abode, was sentenced to 20 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Drilon Losha, 24, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Olsian Hysi, 27, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Egli Dobra, 25, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.