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 dies weeks after release from troubled HMP Parc: Investigation launched

Published

4 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A SWANSEA man has died just weeks after being released from HMP Parc, the Bridgend prison now at the centre of a national crisis over inmate deaths and post-release failures.

Darren Thomas, aged 52, died on 13 November 2025 — less than a month after leaving custody. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) has confirmed an independent investigation into his death, which is currently listed as “in progress”.

Born on 9 April 1973, Mr Thomas had been under post-release supervision following a period at HMP/YOI Parc, the G4S-run prison that recorded seventeen deaths in custody in 2024 — the highest in the UK.

His last known legal appearance was at Swansea Crown Court in October 2024, where he stood trial accused of making a threatening phone call and two counts of criminal damage. During the hearing, reported by The Pembrokeshire Herald at the time, the court heard he made threats during a heated call on 5 October 2023.

Mr Thomas denied the allegations but was found guilty on all counts. He was sentenced to a custodial term, which led to his imprisonment at HMP Parc.

Parc: A prison in breakdown

HMP Parc has faced sustained criticism throughout 2024 and 2025. A damning unannounced inspection in January found:

Severe self-harm incidents up 190%
Violence against staff up 109%
Synthetic drugs “easily accessible” across wings
Overcrowding at 108% capacity

In the first three months of 2024 alone, ten men died at Parc — part of a wider cluster of twenty PPO-investigated deaths since 2022. Six occurred within three weeks, all linked to synthetic drug use.

Leaked staff messages in 2025 exposed a culture of indifference, including one officer writing: “Let’s push him to go tomorrow so we can drop him.”

Six G4S employees have been arrested since 2023 in connection with alleged assaults and misconduct.

The danger after release

Deaths shortly after release from custody are a growing national concern. Ministry of Justice data shows 620 people died while under community supervision in 2024–2025, with 62 deaths occurring within 14 days of release.

Short sentences — common at Parc — leave little time for effective rehabilitation or release planning. Homelessness, loss of drug tolerance and untreated mental-health conditions create a high-risk environment for those newly released.

The PPO investigates all such deaths to determine whether prisons or probation failed in their duties. Reports often take 6–12 months and can lead to recommendations.

A system at breaking point

The crisis at Parc reflects wider failures across UK prisons and probation. A July 2025 House of Lords report described the service as “not fit for purpose”. More than 500 people die in custody annually, with campaigners warning that private prisons such as Parc prioritise cost-cutting over care.

The PPO investigation into the death of Darren Thomas continues.

Crime

Woman stabbed partner in Haverfordwest before handing herself in

Published

4 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Court Reporter

A WOMAN who stabbed her partner during a drug-fuelled episode walked straight into Haverfordwest Police Station and told officers what she had done, Swansea Crown Court has heard.

Amy Woolston, 22, of Dartmouth Street in Milford Haven, arrived at the station at around 8:00pm on June 13 and said: “I stabbed my ex-partner earlier… he’s alright and he let me walk off,” prosecutor Tom Scapens told the court.

The pair had taken acid together earlier in the day, and Woolston claimed she believed she could feel “stab marks in her back” before the incident.

Police find victim with four wounds

Officers went to the victim’s home to check on him. He was not there at first, but returned shortly afterwards. He appeared sober and told police: “Just a couple of things,” before pointing to injuries on his back.

He had three stab or puncture wounds to his back and another to his bicep.

The victim said that when he arrived home from the shop, Woolston was acting “a bit shifty”. After asking if she was alright, she grabbed something from the windowsill — described as either a knife or a shard of glass — and stabbed him.

He told officers he had “had worse from her before”, did not support a prosecution, and refused to go to hospital.

Defendant has long history of violence

Woolston pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding. The court heard she had amassed 20 previous convictions from 10 court appearances, including assaults, battery, and offences against emergency workers.

Defending, Dyfed Thomas said Woolston had longstanding mental health problems and had been off medication prescribed for paranoid schizophrenia at the time.
“She’s had a difficult upbringing,” he added, saying she was remorseful and now compliant with treatment.

Woolston was jailed for 12 months, but the court heard she has already served the equivalent time on remand and will be released imminently on a 12-month licence.

Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

Published

8 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.