Police were praised for ‘impressive work’ on the case
Five members of an organised crime gang have appeared in court(Image: Humberside Police)
A judge has praised the Humberside Police investigation into an organised crime group selling tens of thousands of pounds of cannabis on the streets of Hull. Police found the gang delivering around 40 kilograms of cannabis from “stash houses” and from cars over an 11-month period.
The lucrative network was estimated to have earned more than £170,000 from street deals over a four month period. Police seized cash amounting to £143,595 from raids in Hull, Middlesbrough and the Rugby area.
At Grimsby Crown Court, Judge Richard Woolfall said: “This was impressive work by the police.” Armir Metaj, 30, of Roscoe Street, Middlesbrough, Endri Arifaj, 35, of no fixed address, Gazmir Hameti, 46, of Richmond Road, Hessle, Patryk Gilwanowski, 34, of Wordsworth Street, Hull and Manuela Metaj, of Begonia Way, Rugby, admitted conspiracy to supply cannabis between November 2024 and October 2025.
Prosecuting, Giles Grant said police arrested a number of men in Hull for selling cannabis. Detectives traced a phone line which linked them all to Armir Mitaj.
Analysis of the phones showed he was directing runners over an 11-month period. It showed there were more than 23,000 messages relating to orders for cannabis. Each month there were between 1,000 and 2,000 messages about deals.
Mr Grant said Mitaj did not name his runners in the messages but used the make of car they were using as names, such as “Seat Leon,” “black Toyota” and “silver Golf.” The cars were trailed by police and investigations showed they were registered to false names from addresses in Hull.
They were rented properties being used as “stash houses” where bulk amounts of cannabis were stored. Mr Grant said Gilwanowski worked for a letting agency in Hull and arranged for the properties to be rented by Mitaj. They were on Matlock Villas, Richmond Road, Peth Street and Egton Street in the city.
When police raided the properties they discovered hauls of cash and cannabis worth tens of thousands of pounds. A further raid took place in the Rugby area where police found more than £80,000 in cash in a bread bin and £49,000 in a wardrobe.
Mr Grant said Armir Mitaj had a leading role running his own drugs line and managing stash houses and vehicles for substantial financial advantage.
The total amount of cash seized was £143,595, which Judge Woolfall ordered should go to police in order to fund the fight against crime.
For Armir Mitaj, David Bentley said his client’s immigration status from Albania had not yet been resolved. He said he was introduced to a crime group when he moved to Middlesbrough. “He was acting under direction as there was a hierarchy above him,” said the defence barrister. He said there was no production of cannabis going on by his client, only selling.
For Hameti, David Godfrey said his client was “directed further up the chain.” He said: “He has been involved at the tail end of this enterprise.” Mr Godfrey said his client came to the UK illegally when he incurred gambling debts back in Albania.
Mitigating for Gilwanowski, Faud Arshad said his client was not involved in selling. “His direct involvement is limited. He only performed a limited function,” he said.
For Arifaj, Michele Stuart-Lofthouse said her client apologised for his offending and recognised it was a mistake. She said he played a lesser role as a street dealer.
Sentencing the gang, Judge Woolfall said they were all liable to be deported after serving their sentences. He said they were directed by people “higher up the chain” in London.
Phone analysis showed 23,244 calls or messages from clients buying cannabis over an 11-month period. The judge said the investigation led police to arrest the street dealers, which led them to the houses which had been rented.
Gilwanowski had “turned a blind eye” but knew they were being used to store cannabis and as addresses to register vehicles delivering cannabis. “It was a significant operation with a degree of sophistication, storing cannabis at different locations and a significant amount of cash in the Rugby area in a location that would be the last place to look. This has been impressive police work,” he said.
The judge jailed Armir Metaj for five years and four months. Arifaj received 20 months in prison and Hameti 19 months. Gilwanowski was jailed for 30 months. The judge warned them they may be detained until their deportation is completed.
He said Manuela Metaj had been “prevailed upon” to hold the criminal property which she admitted and she was in a difficult financial position when her husband was ill. The judge said the mother was a low risk of reoffending and suspended her 18-month prison sentence for 12 months, which was agreed by her defence barrister, Nina Reinach. She was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
Following the hearing, officer in the case, Police Constable Claire Dobson said: “This was a significant investigation into an organised crime group operating well beyond the Humberside area, exploiting county lines to distribute cannabis into our communities.
“Armir Metaj was at the centre of this network, directing activity and coordinating the movement of drugs, money and individuals across multiple regions. Beneath him sat a network of individuals carrying out specific roles, from managing stash locations to supplying drugs at street level – all contributing to the wider criminal network.
“The group took deliberate steps to evade detection, including the use of encrypted communications, frequent travel and vehicles linked to false insurance policies. However, through detailed analysis of communications data, financial investigation and coordinated enforcement activity, we were able to build a clear picture of their operation and bring those responsible before the courts.
“The warrants carried out in October were the culmination of months of work and highlight the strength of partnership working across multiple teams and forces.
“We know the impact that drug supply and organised crime have on our communities, from exploitation and violence to the wider harm it brings. Dismantling these networks remains a priority, and we will continue to pursue those involved relentlessly.”
Every piece of information we receive from the public helps us build a clearer picture and take meaningful steps to disrupt organised crime. If you have any concerns about what’s happening in your area, speak to your local officer, call into your nearest station, or call our non-emergency 101 line.
If you’d prefer to remain anonymous, you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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