Drugs network dismantled in Bedfordshire as landlord sentenced
Men convicted for roles in cultivating cannabis across the area
A criminal network operating cannabis factories across Bedfordshire has been dismantled, with several individuals sentenced for their roles in the operation.
Marc Anthony, a 59-year-old landlord, was sentenced for conspiracy to produce cannabis and possession of criminal property, having allowed his properties in Bedford and surrounding areas to be used for cannabis cultivation.
His search history was found to include queries such as ‘how do police find out if you grow cannabis in your house,’ indicating knowledge of the illegal activities taking place.
Antony was sentenced at Huntingdon Crown Court, receiving a three-year sentence suspended for three years, along with a requirement to complete 300 hours of community service and 20 days of rehabilitation.
Alongside Anthony, Klevist Hoxhaj, 44, and Altin Gjoka, 52, were convicted of conspiracy to produce cannabis for overseeing the daily operations of the cannabis factories.
Hoxhaj was sentenced to two years and three months suspended and must undertake 240 hours of unpaid work, while Gjoka received a two-year five-month sentence, suspended, alongside 260 hours of unpaid work.
The investigation was launched by the Operation Costello team following a warrant on a Bedford property in 2022, revealing a large-scale cannabis factory.
Subsequent searches between 2022 and 2023 led to the seizure of over 600 plants across three properties, with additional cultivation equipment recovered elsewhere.
Phone records demonstrated conversations between the three men highlighting their involvement in the organisation and the financial benefit Anthony received.
Investigation Officer Summer Hill emphasised the ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and the need for community involvement:
“We are continuing to crackdown on organised criminal networks, and these three men are the latest to be dealt with as part of our pursuit of those who enable large scale drug production.
“Drugs and organised crime have a devastating impact on our communities and are at the root of much anti-social behaviour, knife crime and exploitation.
“Operation Costello takes a strong, bottom-up approach to tackling organised crime by targeting everyone involved — from those causing anti-social behaviour and running large scale illegal cannabis cultivation, to the professional enablers who support criminal groups by supplying materials or allowing their premises to be used.”
"We need the community to partner with us on this goal by reporting what they see. It could be as simple as reporting anti-social behaviour in their area - behind that could lie a whole host of criminality that we are committed to tackling at the source.”