Gang involved in large-scale supply of cannabis in Greater Manchester jailed for almost 12 years

Roland and Klodian Matranxhi, aged 26 and 25 respectively, and 22-year-old Dashamir Rexhmati were caught red-handed setting up a cannabis farm at a property on Chorley New Road in Bolton following reports of a burglary.

After the men were arrested on 13 November 2022, a warrant was executed at the house they lived in on Bradford Road in Huddersfield.

Large bags of cannabis were discovered estimated to be worth between £100,000 and £200,000 along with £11,000 in cash hidden inside a shoe box and multiple notebooks containing shopping lists relating to growing cannabis.

The trio were already on GMP’s radar after a property on Hendham Vale was raided on 14 June 2022 and cannabis worth a street value of more than £1million was seized.

A phone recovered at the property identified Roland from numerous text messages he had sent on how to cultivate the cannabis that was in operation at the house.

The trio were in the area the day before the warrant was executed however they swiftly changed their phone numbers to evade detention.

All three men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cultivate cannabis, production of cannabis, possession with intent to supply cannabis and money laundering.

They appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday 15 June and were sentenced. Roland was jailed for four years and six months, Klodian was jailed for four years and Rexhmati was jailed for three years.

PC Heather Gore, of COM North’s Challenger organised crime team, said: “We believe these men had been setting up cannabis farms to make a substantial and illegal profit by supplying it across the North-West over the last 12-months.

“They attempted to go under the radar by changing their mobile phone numbers, providing false documentation to landlords and false names to police.

“A member of the public contacted police and we were able to catch the men red handed setting up another cannabis farm, and disrupt their criminality.

“It’s important the public understands that cultivation and production of cannabis is incredibly dangerous. It puts neighbouring properties and people at risk of fires and explosions, and it can cause floorboards to rot, presenting the danger of collapse.

“We’re also seeing organised crime groups identify properties that are already being used to grow cannabis, and then targeting them with a view to taking over the production. This creates huge risks to the community as it brings with it acts of violence and disorder similar to turf wars. The farms often have people at the property that are victims of trafficking and working against their will in appalling conditions.”

Would you know if a property was being used to cultivate drugs? A powerful distinctive sweet, sickly aroma; frequent visitors throughout the day and night; blacked out windows; chinks of bright light throughout the night; birds gathering on the roof, particularly in cold weather; noise from fans; large amounts of rubbish including compost bags; electricity metre being tampered with.

To report suspicious activity please either contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or call GMP on 101.