Albanian-led drugs gang jailed after Derbyshire police raid

During a series of coordinated police raids in Sandiacre, Doncaster, Mansfield, Nottingham, King’s Lynn and Birmingham 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.

MORE: The faces of criminals jailed for Derbyshire crimes since June

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.

MORE: 10 rescue dogs at Chesterfield RSPCA centre looking for new owners

It was found that, as well as dealing large quantities of cannabis, Clarke was also a major cocaine dealer.

The four men were handed the following sentences after appearing at Derby Crown Court on August 17:

• 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 previous hearings:

Mirand Koci, 31, of NFA, was sentenced to 20 months, Drilon Losha, 24, of NFA, was sentenced to four months, Olsian Hysi, 27, of NFA, was sentenced to four months and Egli Dobra, 25, of NFA, was sentenced to four months – all after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.