Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
National
Martin Naylor & Peter Hennessy

Nottingham drugs gang leader who made £400,000 from cannabis was told to pay back 'peanuts'

A drugs gang leader from Nottingham who made nearly £400,000 through his enterprise will have to pay back just over £500.

Egi Tafa made £387,284.79 from the growing and selling of cannabis, a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Derby Crown Court heard.

But financial investigations have revealed he has just £580.80 in two bank accounts which will be handed over to the police, Derbyshire Live reports.

Tafa of Calderdale, Nottingham, had cannabis farms across the country, which were all busted by police during raids in Doncaster, Mansfield, Nottingham, King’s Lynn, Birmingham and Sandiacre back in 2020.

Stephen Perry teamed up with Albanian gang leader, Egi Tafa and his right-hand man Mevlan Koci to produce the cannabis.

The drugs were grown by a team of Albanian gardeners who tended to the drugs in properties across the UK.

The drugs, once cultivated, were then supplied to dealers, Brett Simpson and Callum Clarke who sold to users across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Staffordshire.

Judge Robert Egbuna told the 24-year-old: "That is what the prosecution say you benefited from through drug trafficking and they can come back in time if they find out you have more money and can claw that money back.

"Do you understand that, Mr Tafa?"

Speaking over a video link from prison, the defendant replied: "Yes, your honour."

The Proceeds of Crime Act (or POCA) allows the police to apply for cash to be seized from criminals who have made their money from ill-gotten gains.

It is typically used after drug dealers have been sentenced and can see criminals forced to sell properties, cars or jewellery that belongs to them to pay the cash back.

The money that is seized is split 50-50 between the police and the Government and is often used to fund community projects.

If a convicted criminal comes into money later in life which he or she does not currently have, police can still apply to have that seized.

Tafa was sentenced to five years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.

An Albanian led drugs gang has been jailed after its web of cannabis grows were busted in raids across the countr (Derbyshire Police Press Office)

Drug dealer, Callum Clarke of Linnet Drive, Rainworth, Mansfield was also found to be a major cocaine dealer involved in the importation of the drug from Europe.

The 31-year-old was sentenced to 10 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis, importation of cocaine, and possession of a section 1 firearm.

Stephen Perry, 29, of Smalley Drive, Derby was sentenced to three years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Mevlan Koci, 29, of Calderdale, Nottingham, was sentenced to two years and seven months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Brett Simpson, 29, of Meadow Lane, Chaddesden, Derby was sentenced to two years and one month after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.

The following men were all jailed for their part as growers of the cannabis at the grows around the country at previous hearings:

• Mirand Koci, 31, of NFA was sentenced to 20 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.

• Drilon Losha, 24, Of NFA was sentenced to four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.

• Olsian Hysi, 27, of NFA was sentenced to four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.

• Egli Dobra, 25, of NFA was sentenced to four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.

To read all the biggest and best stories first sign up to read our newsletters here .

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.