First conviction secured against Bedfordshire landlord enabling cannabis factories
Marc Anthony, 59, from Bedford, allowed homes to be rented out for drug production
Bedfordshire Police has secured its first conviction against a landlord who facilitated the operation of cannabis factories across multiple properties, marking a significant milestone in the force's ongoing efforts to combat organised crime.
Marc Anthony, 59, of Arundel Drive, Bedford, owned two properties and acted as a private letting agent for three more, which he knowingly rented out for the cultivation of cannabis.
Klevist Hoxhaj, 34, and Altin Gjoka, 52, worked with Anthony to rent and manage these properties, which were located both within Bedford and beyond the county. They oversaw the day-to-day operations of the cannabis factories and managed the workforce involved.
The investigation started in 2022 with a warrant at a Bedford property revealing a cannabis factory. The subsequent inquiry, which spanned into 2023, uncovered a network operating seven related factories.
Throughout the investigation, over 600 cannabis plants were seized from three properties, alongside cultivation paraphernalia from others indicating illegal use.
Anthony was convicted of conspiracy to produce cannabis and possession of criminal property after being arrested with nearly £54,000 in unexplained cash. Hoxhaj and Gjoka were also convicted of conspiracy to produce cannabis.
Operation Costello, a Bedfordshire Police initiative formed post-EncroChat takedown, spearheaded the investigation, focusing on dismantling drug empires and those enabling criminal activities.
Investigative Officer Summer Hill stated: “These three men played a significant role in the cultivation of cannabis across Bedfordshire, and this case represents our first conviction of its kind against a landlord for enabling large-scale drug production."
Hill highlighted the operation’s bottom-up strategy targeting organised crime, including issues like anti-social behaviour and professional enablers who aid criminal groups.
She urged community cooperation: "Organised crime and drugs underpin much of the violence and exploitation we see, and we are committed to putting an end to this activity across Bedfordshire."