Challenger officers’ proactive investigation into an Albanian OCG results in recovery of more than 13,000 cannabis plants and £10million of drugs

In 2023, Operation Mille, a national operation directed by the Government for Police Forces across the UK to implement action to tackle the growing problem of Western Balkan organised crime group (OCG’s) across the country.

GMP undertook a significant amount of activity across the region with the following results between March 2023 and July 2023;

• 52 pre-planned search warrants conducted
• 16 other proactive house searches following arrests away from an address
• 73 persons arrested
• 31 persons charged and remanded
• 46 Albanian nationals arrested
• Over 13,000 cannabis plants recovered
• Total estimated street value of £10,903,200

Officers became aware of an Albanian male who was believed to be controlling others in the large-scale production of cannabis across Greater Manchester, and as a result they undertook a covert proactive investigation between May and November 2023.

The team took the approach that rather than simply seek to take action against the cannabis farms and the ‘gardeners’ tending to the farms, they wanted to identify and take action against the higher level OCG members who were controlling this activity.

Three properties were raided in Chadderton, followed by one in Wigan.

In early 2024 Ilrijan Hodaj, Armando Xhemalaj and Henri Shperdhea all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis.

In September, Riza Hodaj had a trial at Bolton Crown Court where he pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis and money laundering. After trial he was found guilty on all counts.

On Tuesday 24 September 2024, all four defendants were sentenced at Bolton Crown Court to the following:

• Riza Hodaj (20/06/1985) of Beech Mount, Harpurhey – Seven years
• Iriljan Hodaj (02/04/1992) of Lakeland Crescent, Bury – Four years
• Henri Shperdhea (08/05/1989) of Denton Lane, Chadderton– Two years three months
• Armando Xhemalaj (11/03/1992) of Barracks Road, Wigan - Two years three months

All four will be subject to deportation after serving half their sentence.

In addition, the proceeds of crime to the value of over £90,000 is to be forfeited.

Tackling the supply of drugs and subsequent drug-related crime is incredibly important to us, and on Wednesday 9 October 2024 we announced the city-region's first published multi-agency drugs strategy to help us do that.

This is just one example of the proactive work our officers and staff do every day as we look to remove drugs from the streets, protect vulnerable people and make a positive impact on our communities.

Detective Inspector Paul Crompton, of our Serious and Organised Crime Group Syndicate, said: “This was an excellent investigation into an OCG, which resulted in the recovery of over £1million pounds worth of drugs as well as the seizure of a large amount of criminal cash.

“Not only that the organisers of this criminal enterprise were successfully identified and prosecuted, rather than just the ‘gardeners’ who are typically caught within cannabis farms.

“What usually comes from this kind of criminality is people being exploited for cultivating drugs. This operation flipped the script slightly by going after those at the top of criminal enterprise.

“It is hoped that these convictions serve as a deterrent to this type of activity which blights local communities who have organised criminal gangs operating within their communities.”