A drug dealer who made in the region of £692,000 through his involvement in an organised crime group (OCG) has been ordered to pay back just £51,000. The group was involved in the distribution of large quantities of cocaine throughout south Wales.
Klodian Zefi, 36, of Cardiff, was part of the OCG which traded in almost £600,00 worth of cocaine, weighing 7kg, and £175,000 worth of cannabis, weighing 18kg, which were discovered by police. The group operated in Cardiff, Swansea, and nearby areas including Port Talbot with a cannabis farm also found in Lampeter where the drugs being cultivated had a potential street value of over £500,000.
Dubbed Operation Bluebell an investigation saw paraphernalia seized along with approximately £100,000 cash, around 1,000 cannabis plants, 18kg of cannabis, 7kg of cocaine, as well as cash-counting machines and industrial weighing scales. Detective sergeant Peter Kelly said: “Klodian Zefi, Fation Bardhaj, and Bardhok Bardhoj worked together in Cardiff facilitating the supply of the cocaine. Their customer bases included Swansea and the Port Talbot areas.
“Gregory Hardy headed the Swansea-based OCG. He had access to a business unit in Gorseinon, Swansea. When this was searched a hydraulic press along with other drug paraphernalia and empty kilogram-sized cocaine wrappings were seized.
“Elon Joseph worked for Hardy and was often seen visiting the business unit in Gorseinon as well as frequently meeting with Bardhok Bardhoj in Swansea and Cardiff. Hardy was also responsible for setting up the cannabis farm in Lampeter. When production of cannabis began it was Bardhoj who was responsible for the ‘gardening’ and maintenance of the plants.
“David Price worked as a courier for the group in and around the Port Talbot and Pyle areas. He was seen meeting with Bardhok Bardhoj and Fation Bardhaj in various locations where bags and packages were exchanged. Qazim Hodollari worked as a courier and was responsible for travelling from the London area to deliver drugs to south Wales and collect cash.
“Mirsad Nerguti was based in London. On one occasion Bardhok Bardhoj arranged for Abdi Lekaj to travel from Cardiff to London to meet Nerguti. When Lekaj traveling back to south Wales he was arrested and found to be in possession of two kilograms of cocaine. Forensic evidence linked Mirsad Nerguti to this seizure.”
Zefi, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to a total of 14 years imprisonment in January last year. At a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing at Cardiff Crown Court prosecutor Ian Wright said Zefi had benefited to the tune of £692,273 as a result of his offending, but only has assets worth £51,000. Judge Shomon Khan ordered the defendant to pay that sum, which has already been seized by the police.
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