Crime

35 arrests as police disrupt £12 million cannabis operation

Published

10 months ago

February 18, 2025

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has carried out its most significant drugs operation to date, seizing more than £12 million worth of cannabis and dismantling 37 large-scale cannabis farms across the force area. The crackdown, named Operation Scotney, has resulted in 35 arrests and the disruption of organised crime gangs operating in rural communities.

***Cannabis farm found at Main Street, Pembroke (Picture: M Cavaney/Herald)***

Operation Scotney

Raiding sites including former schools, empty town centre shops, and a disused newspaper office, police have uncovered thousands of cannabis plants and tonnes of commercial heating and lighting equipment.

Detective Chief Inspector Rich Lewis explained how the operation began: “Through proactive policing, we noticed a rise in large-scale cannabis factories being discovered in seemingly unrelated locations. The scale was unprecedented, with thousands of plants found in each warrant. It quickly became clear that these factories were linked, run by organised crime groups from outside the force area, aiming to evade detection in our rural towns.”

In response, Operation Scotney was launched in early 2024, bringing together detectives, intelligence experts, and proactive policing officers to locate and disrupt these operations before the cannabis could be cultivated.

***Police at the former Woolworth’s building, Pembroke Dock (Image: Herald)***

Organised crime hiding in plain sight

The criminal networks behind these farms have been using increasingly brazen tactics, setting up operations in town centres and even on the same street as a police station. DCI Lewis said: “We’ve found cannabis factories in former schools, empty shops, and a disused newspaper office, all in public areas where it would be difficult to go unnoticed. These gangs disguise themselves as construction workers or landlords, wearing high-visibility vests and moving large boxes into buildings in broad daylight to avoid suspicion.”

A striking example occurred in Newcastle Emlyn, where officers discovered 400 cannabis plants just four doors down from the local police station.

***Passers by said that the former Mojo’s in Milford Haven was “stinking of skunk” (Picture: Herald)***

Crackdown yields major arrests

Over the past year, Operation Scotney has led to the arrests of 35 individuals. Twenty-nine have been jailed, four are awaiting sentencing, two are yet to enter pleas, and two others have been deported.

Carmarthenshire court results:

King Street, Carmarthen:
- Jurgen Kodra: Jailed for 2 years, 4 months for production of cannabis.
Old Llangunnor Road, Carmarthen:
- Nurdin Hoxha: Charged with production of cannabis – sentencing on March 7.
Gordon Road, Llanelli:
- Argil Bushi: Jailed for 20 months for production of cannabis.
- Aldi Xhaferri: Jailed for 9 months for production of cannabis.
Craddock Street, Llanelli:
- Blerjan Dedja: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.
Bigyn Road, Llanelli:
- Franko Sulovari: Jailed for 18 months for production of cannabis.
Mountain Gate Inn, Ammanford:
- Beni Mirashi: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.
Maes Y Wern, Carway:
- Viktor Gjeloshi: Jailed for 15 months for production of cannabis.
- Nikoll Necaj: Jailed for 6 months for production of cannabis.
- Eduart Nenfusho: Jailed for 15 months for production of cannabis.
Vaughan Street, Llanelli:
- Hazis Rapi: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.

Ceredigion court results:

Former Llandysul school:
- Alfred Perkola: Conspiracy to supply and possession with intent to supply cannabis. Sentencing on February 26, 2025.
- Aldi Gjegjaj: Conspiracy to supply and possession with intent to supply cannabis. Sentencing on February 26, 2025.
Former Llandysul school (second warrant):
- Armeld Troski: Jailed for 40 months for production of cannabis.
- Njazi Gjana: Jailed for 30 months for production of cannabis.
- Ervin Gjana: Jailed for 30 months for production of cannabis.

Pembrokeshire court results:

Honeyborough Industrial Estate, Neyland:
- Zhupa Gentian: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.
- Ergest Mucopata: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.
Stop search, Cleddau Bridge:
- Albert Nikolla: Jailed for 4 years, 3 months for possession with intent to supply and supply of cocaine.
- Pajtim Meta: Jailed for 5 years for possession with intent to supply and supply of cocaine.
India Row, Monkton, Pembroke:
- Sergej Zakacura: Jailed for 7 years, 3 months for production of cannabis.
North Crescent, Haverfordwest:
- Shahin Mustaj: Jailed for 8 months for production of cannabis.
Treowen Road, Pennar, Pembroke Dock:
- Ervis Kerciku: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.
Industrial Yard, Honeyborough:
- Flamur Vengo: Jailed for 24 months for production of cannabis.
- Nertil Dallenga: Jailed for 24 months for production of cannabis.
Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock:
- Armando Beti: Jailed for 2 years, 8 months for being concerned in production of cannabis.
Main Street, Pembroke:
- Amarildo Daja: Jailed for 12 months for being concerned in production of cannabis.
Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock:
- Esmirald Dedej: Charged with production of cannabis and remanded in custody.
- Arsen Tanasica: Jailed for 12 months for production of cannabis.

Powys court results:

Former County Times building, Welshpool:
- Dino Marku: Jailed for 18 months for production of cannabis.
Former County Times building (second warrant):
- Kastriot Gega: Jailed for 6 months for production of cannabis.
Broad Street, Welshpool:
- Alban Qemalli: Jailed for 22 months for being concerned in production of cannabis.
High Street, Welshpool:
- Kladji Toci: Jailed for 16 months for being concerned in production of cannabis.
Former HSBC bank, Llandrindod Wells:
- Two men deported following arrest.

The force says it remains committed to disrupting organised crime and ensuring the safety of local communities.

***Police officer at an illegal cannabis farm (Pic: Herald File image)***

Can you help the police?

The most frequent signs of a cannabis factory are:

HEAT: Cannabis plants need heat to grow. You may see condensation on windows or notice that ice and snow is missing on rooftops in the winter.
SMELL: Cannabis plants have a strong smell, which is stronger in the last three months of growth.
RUBBISH: Lots of ‘garden’ rubbish dumped outside such as plant pots, compost and empty plant food containers.
LIGHT: Cannabis needs bright lights 24 hours a day to grow. You may also hear noise from fans.
SECRECY: Windows might be covered up to hide illegal activity, or extra locks installed.
ELECTRICITY: Your street may be suffering from frequent and unusual power cuts as electricity meters are bypassed.
VISITORS: Are people coming and going, possibly at odd hours? Are the lights constantly on but nobody appears to be there?

If you have any information or concerns to share, contact Dyfed-Powys Police in the following ways:

Report online | https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/

Email | [email protected]

Call | 101

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Swansea man jailed for online child sex offence dies in prison

Published

5 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A SWANSEA man who was jailed earlier this year for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child has died while in custody.

Gareth Davies, aged 59, of the Maritime Quarter, was serving an 18-month prison sentence after being convicted in May of sending sexually explicit messages to what he believed was a 14-year-old girl. The account was in fact a decoy used as part of an online safeguarding operation.

The court heard that Davies began communicating with the decoy between November and December 2024 and persistently pursued the individual, later attempting to arrange a face-to-face meeting. He was arrested after being confronted by the decoy operators.

Davies had pleaded not guilty but was convicted following a trial. At the time of sentencing, police described the messages as extremely concerning and said his imprisonment was necessary to protect children.

It has now been confirmed that Davies died at HMP Parc on Wednesday (Nov 27) while serving his sentence.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has launched an independent investigation into the death, which is standard procedure in all cases where someone dies in custody. No cause of death has been released at this stage.

A coroner will determine the circumstances in due course.

Crime

Pembrokeshire man sent to Crown Court over death by careless driving charge

Published

6 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been sent to the Crown Court to stand trial accused of causing a death by careless or inconsiderate driving.

Alexander MacCallum, aged 28, of Beach Road, Llanreath, Pembroke Dock, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 18).

The court heard that MacCallum is charged with causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving following an incident on Thursday (June 13, 2024).

No plea was entered at this stage of the proceedings.

Magistrates were told the case was too serious to be dealt with at magistrates’ level and ordered that it be sent to the Crown Court for trial.

MacCallum was sent to the Crown Court on unconditional bail, with further proceedings to take place at a later date.

The prosecution was brought by Dyfed-Powys Police. No defence solicitor was formally recorded at the hearing.

Crime

Breakthrough in 1993 Tooze murders: 86-year-old man arrested after cold case review

Published

8 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE investigating one of Wales’ most disturbing unsolved double murders have arrested an 86-year-old man on suspicion of killing elderly couple Harry and Megan Tooze more than three decades ago.

South Wales Police confirmed the arrest on Tuesday (Dec 17), following a forensic cold case review into the 1993 killings, which shocked the rural community of Llanharry and cast a long shadow over the South Wales justice system.

Harry Tooze, aged 64, and his wife Megan, 67, were found shot dead with a shotgun at their isolated Ty Ar y Waun farmhouse on July 26, 1993. Their bodies were discovered inside a cowshed on the property, concealed beneath carpet and hay bales, having been shot in the head at close range.

The brutality of the killings and the remoteness of the scene prompted one of the most high-profile murder investigations in Wales at the time.

Conviction later quashed

In 1995, Cheryl Tooze’s then-boyfriend, Jonathan Jones, was convicted of the murders and sentenced to life imprisonment. The prosecution case rested heavily on a partial fingerprint found on a teacup at the farmhouse.

However, the conviction unravelled just a year later. In 1996, the Court of Appeal quashed the verdict, ruling it unsafe and highlighting serious concerns about the reliability of the fingerprint evidence. The decision was widely regarded as a significant miscarriage of justice.

Jones, who consistently maintained his innocence, was supported throughout the ordeal by Cheryl Tooze, whom he later married. The couple have since spoken publicly about the devastating impact of the case on their lives.

Despite renewed appeals and periodic reviews, no one else was charged and the murders remained unresolved for nearly 30 years.

Operation Vega and forensic advances

In 2023, marking the 30th anniversary of the killings, South Wales Police launched a full cold case review under Operation Vega. The review was led by forensic scientist Professor Angela Gallop, one of the UK’s most respected figures in forensic investigation.

Detectives re-examined preserved exhibits from the original crime scene using modern forensic and DNA techniques that were not available in the early 1990s. Police have not disclosed which items were re-analysed or what evidence led to the latest arrest.

On December 17, officers arrested an 86-year-old man on suspicion of murdering Harry and Megan Tooze. He remains in police custody while enquiries continue. No further details about the suspect have been released at this stage.

Police appeal for information

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Mark Lewis described the arrest as a significant moment, but stressed that the investigation is ongoing.

He said: “While this arrest is clearly a significant development in the investigation, our enquiries are very much ongoing. This case has affected many people over the years and our aim is to find answers to the unanswered questions which remain about their deaths over 30 years on.

“Even with the passage of time, I would urge anyone who has information about the murders, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward and speak to police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact South Wales Police, quoting occurrence number 2300016841.