An organised crime group that conspired to supply a large amount of cannabis onto Gloucestershire's streets have been jailed for a total of more than 17 years.

Sentencing at Bristol Crown Court followed the arrest and charge in October last year of 10 men following investigations into serious and organised crime gangs operating in the county with links to Bristol, Birmingham and Liverpool.

Following intelligence received earlier in the year about these gangs, Operation Cleveland was set up by police under the direction of Detective Inspector Ian Fletcher.

As a consequence of these investigations, Gloucestershire Police executed early morning drugs warrants at four residential and one business premises in Gloucester on Wednesday 11 October 2017.

These addresses housed Albanian gang members who were arrested on suspicion of offences relating to the supply of controlled drugs. This part of the operation was swiftly followed by officers executing drugs warrants at a further five properties in Gloucester and one in Cheltenham which had been identified as cannabis farms.

Further arrests of cannabis 'farmers' took place at these addresses. The amount of cannabis plants found at these farms was substantial and believed to be valued at around £750,000.

The men set up 'cannabis farms' to cultivate the plants in residential homes in Gloucester without regard for the safety and well being of residents or of those living in the communities in which they operated. One was located opposite a primary school in Gloucester.

The following men all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce a Class B drug and sentenced as follows:

- Krenhmik Muja, 20 and of London Road, Gloucester (2 years 4 months)

- Dritan Muhametaj, 28 and of no fixed abode (14 months)

- Gurgen Nikoci, 21 and of Akrotiri Square, Norwich (14 months)

- Bardhyl Arifaj, 33 and of St Phillips Close, Gloucester (14 months)

- Ardit Agaaj, 27 and of Birchmore Road, Gloucester (18 months)

- Aranit Kasaheri, 34 and of Woodford Green, London (12 months)

Elis Gashi, 33 and of High Street, Tredworth, and 22-year-old Dardan Horhaj of Widden Street, Gloucester, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce a class B drug and two charges of possession/control a false/improperly obtained identity document. Gashi was sentenced to four years and Horjaj to three years.

Jeton Muja, 26 and of Orchard Close, Gloucester pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply a class B drug and conspiracy to produce a class B drug and was sentenced to two years and four months.

Besjan Muja 31 of Wharfside Close, Gloucester initially pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to supply and produce a class B drug. He has changed his plea to guilty and will be sentenced at a later date.

Detective Inspector Ian Fletcher said: "This was a protracted and complex investigation over several months. The main offenders in this operation were utilising fellow Albanians to act as gardeners cultivating the cannabis, they then had an established and extensive market in which to sell their product.

This operation and sentences should act as a reminder to anyone involved in the drugs trade that Gloucestershire Police take all drug dealing seriously."

"I would encourage anyone who may have concerns about someone they know to be involved in this or any other type of criminal activities to contact police in confidence on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Operation Cleveland sought to develop intelligence around Serious and Organised Crimes Groups operating in Gloucestershire; to disrupt this activity and to obtain successful prosecutions for offenders linked to the identified criminality. This work links to the Police and Crime Commissioner's priorities of protecting our most vulnerable members of society and keeping the communities of Gloucestershire safe from harm.

Photo caption: 1. Bardhyl Arifaj2 . Dritan Muhametaj 3. Jeton Muja 4. Ardit Agaaj 5. Krenhmik Muja 6. Aranit Kasaheri 7. Elis Gashi 8. Dardan Horhaj 9. Gurgen Nikoci