Lettings agency was front for multi million pound drugs gang

An organised crime group involved in producing and distributing an estimated £2.4m of cannabis has been found to have e used a fake lettings agency as cover.

The revelation comes following a complex three-year investigation into the gang’s activities in Hull.

Led by Detective Constable Karen Smith, an investigation was launched in January 2021 after officers executed a misuse of drugs act and discovered approximately £74,000 worth of Class B drugs alongside equipment associated with the production of cannabis. 

As a result a lettings agency run by one of the four gang members was put under surveillance. 

Anderson Estates was being used as a front to run the multimillion pound empire by the men. Whilst it never operated as an agent, playing the part, a host of stock images and fake property advertisements were displayed in its shop window.

Behind the scenes, one gang member was in fact buying properties at auction for a low value cash sums and falsifying ghost tenant documents. Once the documents had been falsified, another gang member would then manage the properties and instruct other members manage the build of the cannabis factories as well as staffing them using illegal immigrants. 

It was also discovered the apparent agency owner had gained government grants to install insulation around each premises which assisted with the evasion of detecting cannabis factories.

As part of the investigation, officers discovered a cannabis grow within multiple rooms inside the agency premises. In attempt to evade arrest, a man fled the scene but was quickly detained and arrested by officers. He was later charged with conspiracy to produce Class B drugs, money laundering and was found guilty of conspiracy to produce Class B drugs and was deported to Albania in 2021.

Other properties - one a boat - were then searched. In the boat search officers recovered £50,849.39 in cash, and at another property uncovered a further £324,375.40 in cash and counterfeit IDs.

The four men appeared at Hull Crown Court for an 11-week trial after being charged with a series of offences for their involvement in using multiple properties to harvest and sell drugs in our communities whilst making an estimated £2.4m profit every 11 to 13 weeks.

Ervis Mrisgaj, aged 25 of Peterborough was charged with two counts of conspiracy to produce Class B drugs and was found guilty of both offences.

Florjan Kasaj, aged 41, of Buckingham Street, Hull was charged with conspiracy to produce Class B drugs and money laundering and found was guilty of conspiracy to produce Class B drugs.

Dardan Mrishaj, aged 37, of Duesbery Court in Hull was charged with two counts of conspiracy to produce Class B drugs and possession of a taser and was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to produce Class B drugs.

Jeremy Southgate, aged 63, of Brough was summonsed and charged with two counts of conspiracy to produce Class B drugs, money laundering, two counts of fraud by false representation and found guilty of all offences.

Detective Constable Karen Smith leading the investigation into the organised crime group said: “Whilst these men operated a sophisticated set up, flooding our streets with Class B drugs, Investigations relating to organised crime can be lengthy and complex, but it was only a matter of time before our specialist trained officers dismantled this criminal network.

“I would also urge those who rent their properties out to tenants to make sure this is done so legitimately, and through the right to rent channels so you are able to safeguard not only your property, but yourself as well. Quite often, electricity and gas are abstracted illegally which can have significant financially repercussions.”