A series of arrests across southern Wales and the West Country aimed at tackling the supply of drugs saw 20 people taken into custody including 12 on a single day.
Led by Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) for southern Wales, Operation Altar is a large-scale investigation into an organised crime group responsible for the production and supply of Class B drugs across the southern Wales region.
The mass-enforcement activity took place on Monday, November 4 and involved over 60 police officers from the ROCU, South Wales Police, Gwent Police, and Dyfed-Powys Police.
They were joined by officers from Immigration Enforcement, and police staff. An additional warrant was executed by Avon & Somerset Police in Yeovil on the same day.
As a result, 11 men have been charged and remanded in custody for conspiracy to produce cannabis. Two of these were also charged with possession of criminal property and Identity Document Act offences.
Seven premises were searched resulting in the seizure of 140 kilos of cannabis in wholesale vacuum packed bags, approximately £350,000 in cash and 10 vehicles seized.
Those charged and remanded into custody are;
- Beqir Dedej, 27, from Sully,
- Esmirald Dedej, 26, from Roath,
- Sajmir Kalemi, 31, from, Grangetown,
- Andi Karaj, 20, from Roath,
- Daja Klinton, 30, NFA,
- Dalip Lami, 34, from Roath,
- Blenti Meta, 31, from Cathays,
- Gjergji Rapi, 35, from Cathays,
- Bugar Urici, 58, from Grangetown,
- Artur Verdini, 32, from Penylan
- Endri Vogli, 26 fro Grangetown.
Detective Inspector Vinnie Easton, of Tarian ROCU, said:
“Operation Altar has resulted in the identification and closure of 12 cannabis grows across the region to date.
“It is just one example of how Tarian works with forces and partners to tackle large-scale drug crime. The operation has involved six of Tarian’s specialist policing capabilities, all three forces within our region, home office partners, and Avon & Somerset Police.
“The threat posed by organised crime groups such as this one cannot be understated. They prey on the vulnerable within our communities, utilise violence and intimidation tactics, and do not care about the harm they bring. Their only concern is profit.
“Operation Altar continues, and I encourage anyone who has information about suspected cannabis cultivation or drug activity to report anonymously to 101 or Crimestoppers. We can, and regularly do, act upon information provided to us by the public, so please do speak up if you are able.”
Immigration Enforcement regularly attend police visits in South Wales where foreign nationals suspected of being in the country illegally are likely to be encountered. This provides the ability to make arrests for immigration offences.
Richard Johnson, the Home Office’s Immigration Compliance Enforcement lead for Wales and West of England, said:
“The way people are treated when they are employed illegally is inhumane and abhorrent; a far cry from the lies they are sold by the gangs who facilitate their journeys into the UK.
“We know that employment is one of the biggest pull factors for people coming here, and it is important for them to understand that they can find themselves trapped in unsafe and insecure conditions, facing exploitation and even modern-day slavery.
“We’re pleased to have contributed to the shutting down of this exploitative and illegal operation.”
