Blackpool chain of drugs farms leads to trio sentenced

Dorjan Gjana, 21, of no fixed abode, Shkelzen Madani, 22, of no fixed abode, and Velson Nezha, 32, of Avenue Road, London, admit producing cannabis at three farms set up on Ribble Road, Ashburton Road and Westminster Road.

When police foiled the plot in 2019, they found more than 80 plants worth around £40,000 at Ashburton Road, with another room set up for the cultivation of more plants.

An even more significant grow was found at Ribble Road, with 200 cannabis plants worth over £100,000 recovered.

Westminster Road was set up ready for plants to be grown in a similar fashion to the other properties, although no plants were in that premises at the time of the search.

The prosecution claim Gjana and Madani, who are of previous good character, were living in the properties in Blackpool and undertaking the day-to-day tending to the plants, having been involved in setting the premises up ready for cannabis to be grown there.

Nezha’s role was bigger, with more responsibility and connection to those at the top of the conspiracy who were funding and running the operation from elsewhere in the country.

Prosecuting, Fraser Livesey said the properties had been bought in the resort by another man, adding: "The purpose of buying those properties was purely to set up cannabis farms.

"Defendants Nehza and Gjana were first seen to be involved on October 2, at Ribble Road in a van, unloading many boxes, bin bags and ladders."

Preston Crown Court heard police raids followed an operation to obtain CCTV, ANPR, mobile phone analysis and observations.

Nezha and Madani were found by the police at Ashburton Road with the keys for Westminster Road.

Gjana was caught trying to run away from the back of Ribble Road.

Nehza’s phone was examined and found to have the numbers of Madani and Gjana stored under the Albanian term for “worker”.

Judge Andrew Jefferies QC gave Nehza two years, and Gjana and Madani, nine months - meaning the latter two will be released straight away, as they have already served the time in custody.

He said: "This conspiracy took place for a period of six months or so.

"I understand and accept that you joined the conspiracy at different times.

"This was a sophisticated conspiracy, it was well organised by those higher up the chain, starting with the purchase of particular properties for the purpose of growing cannabis.

"Nehza you have been described as a foreman.

"The figures are considerable and show the extent of the conspiracy."