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.

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.

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.

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.

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 | 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk

Call | 101

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