Fake Hull estate agent cannabis growing gang jailed

Police seized money and cannabis plants at a number of properties across Hull

A gang which ran a drug dealing operation using an estate agent as cover have been jailed.

Jeremy Southgate, 63, bought up properties across Hull and set up cannabis growing factories, police said.

He drew up "ghost tenant" agreements and even opened a shop on Newland Avenue with fake property advertisements in the window.

Detectives estimated the drugs operation made £11.4m a year.

Humberside Police said the investigation began when a search of a property owned by Southgate discovered £74,000 worth of cannabis plants.

Officers launched surveillance on the estate agent owned by Southgate and managed by Florjan Kasaj.

Raids were carried out on 15 properties across the city and thousands of cannabis plants, growing equipment and cash were uncovered.

It was also discovered that Southgate had gained government grants to install insulation around each building to stop the drugs being detected.

More than £50,000 was also recovered from Southgate's boat moored in Hull Marina.

Police said the drugs factories were staffed by illegal immigrants from Albania.

Jeremy Southgate (L) and Florjan Kasaj ran a fake estate agents shop in Hull as cover for their drug operation, police said

Southgate, of Brough, was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to produce Class B drugs, money laundering, two counts of fraud by false representation and was jailed for 11 years after a trial at Hull Crown Court.

Kasaj, 41, of Buckingham Street, Hull was convicted of conspiracy to produce Class B drugs and was sentenced to seven years.

Ervis Mrisgaj, 25, of Peterborough, was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to produce Class B drugs and was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison.

Dardan Mrishaj, 37, of Duesbery Court in Hull was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to produce Class B drugs and was sentenced to three years.

A fifth man, Enver Rrushi, 33 of Passfield Crescent, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to two counts of producing cannabis and was jailed for three years.

Police said a further 10 people were also charged with drug-related offences between 2018 and 2023 as part of the investigation and have since been convicted.

Ervis Mrisgaj (L), Enver Rrushi (C) and Dardan Mrishaj (R) were jailed for their parts in the drugs operation

Det Con Karen Smith said she was pleased the men "are now behind bars".

"This investigation and disruption into the organised crime group was lengthy and complex but it was only a matter of time before our specialist trained officers dismantled this criminal network," she said.

"By stopping this gang's activities, we have prevented significant amounts of Class B drugs flooding our streets."