PHOTO: ITVX
A criminal syndicate, utilizing an estate agency as a front, has been sentenced to jail time for orchestrating a drug trafficking enterprise.
Jeremy Southgate, aged 63, amassed properties throughout Hull, employing them as cannabis cultivation sites, according to police reports. He devised “phantom tenant” contracts and established a storefront on Newland Avenue adorned with fabricated property listings.
Law enforcement approximated that the drug venture yielded £11.4 million annually.
Humberside Police initiated their inquiry following the discovery of £74,000 worth of cannabis plants during a search of Southgate’s property. Subsequently, surveillance was placed on the estate agency owned by Southgate and managed by Florjan Kasaj.
Authorities executed raids on 15 properties across the city, unearthing numerous cannabis plants, cultivation equipment, and cash. Additionally, it was revealed that Southgate had secured government grants to install insulation in each building to evade detection of the illicit activities.
Over £50,000 was recovered from Southgate’s vessel docked at Hull Marina.
Investigators determined that the drug facilities were staffed by undocumented immigrants from Albania.
Southgate, hailing from Brough, was found guilty of multiple charges, including conspiracy to produce Class B drugs, money laundering, and fraud. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison following a trial at Hull Crown Court.
Ervis Mrisgaj (L), Enver Rrushi (C) and Dardan Mrishaj (R) were jailed for their parts in the drugs operation
Kasaj, aged 41 and residing on Buckingham Street, Hull, was convicted of conspiracy to produce Class B drugs and received a seven-year sentence.
Ervis Mrisgaj, aged 25 and from Peterborough, was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to produce Class B drugs and was sentenced to five and a half years behind bars.
Dardan Mrishaj, aged 37 and residing at Duesbery Court in Hull, was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to produce Class B drugs, receiving a three-year sentence.
Enver Rrushi, aged 33 and of Passfield Crescent, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to two counts of producing cannabis and was imprisoned for three years.
Furthermore, ten individuals were charged with drug-related offenses between 2018 and 2023 as part of the investigation and subsequently convicted.
Detective Constable Karen Smith expressed satisfaction with the apprehension of the perpetrators, stating, “This investigation and disruption into the organized crime group was lengthy and complex, but it was only a matter of time before our specialist trained officers dismantled this criminal network.” She emphasized the significant impact of halting the gang’s operations on the community, preventing large quantities of Class B drugs from infiltrating the streets.
SOURCE: BBC