The smell hit Detective Sarah Mitchell the moment she pushed open the front door. Sweet, sickly, and unmistakable. After fifteen years on Essex Police’s organised crime unit, she knew that scent meant big business – the kind that destroys communities and funds international criminal networks.
What she found inside that ordinary terraced house in Southend would unravel one of the most sophisticated cannabis operations Essex had ever seen. Behind net curtains and a freshly painted fence, an Albanian gang had been quietly making half a million pounds while their neighbours went about their daily lives, completely unaware of the criminal empire next door.
This is exactly how modern organised crime works – hiding in plain sight, using legitimate businesses as cover, and exploiting every loophole in the system.
How an Albanian Cannabis Empire Operated Under Everyone’s Noses
The Albanian gang cannabis operation that was finally dismantled by Essex Police wasn’t your typical corner dealer setup. This was a multi-layered criminal enterprise that generated over £500,000 in profits between 2023 and 2025, with tentacles reaching from Southend all the way to Wales.
At the top sat two brothers, Sefedin and Eldi Tafa, who controlled every aspect of the operation. They weren’t getting their hands dirty with day-to-day growing – instead, they focused on sourcing properties, equipment, and managing the overall business strategy.
“What we’re seeing more and more is these highly organised Albanian groups treating drug dealing like any other business,” explains Detective Inspector Mark Reynolds, who has spent a decade tracking organised crime networks. “They have hierarchies, specialised roles, and sophisticated methods to avoid detection.”
The gang’s structure was carefully designed to protect the leadership. Servet Dobrushi handled sales and distribution, while trusted lieutenants Asterjo Sata and Reols Havalj managed the growing operations and transported cannabis and cash around the country.
But perhaps most cleverly, they employed Simon Jackson, a seemingly legitimate insurance broker, to create fake car insurance policies. This allowed their vehicles to appear completely legal during police checks, giving them the freedom to move their operation without attracting attention.
Inside the Cannabis Factory That Brought Down the Network
Everything unraveled on August 30, 2023, when police raided a property on Aragon Close in Southend. What they discovered painted a picture of a professional, well-funded operation that had been running for months.
The evidence seized tells the story of just how lucrative this Albanian gang cannabis operation had become:
- 446 healthy, well-maintained cannabis plants worth up to £118,050
- Vacuum-sealed bags of processed cannabis ready for sale
- £5,000 in cash with fingerprints linking back to gang members
- Equipment and setup indicating long-term commercial production
- Eldi Tafa’s driving license, directly connecting the leadership to the site
“The plants were absolutely pristine,” recalls Detective Constable Emma Thompson, who was part of the initial raid team. “This wasn’t some amateur operation in someone’s spare bedroom. These were professional growers who knew exactly what they were doing.”
But this single cannabis factory was just the tip of the iceberg. The investigation revealed a network extending across multiple counties, with the gang using their profits to fund an increasingly lavish lifestyle.
| Gang Member | Role | Sentence | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sefedin Tafa | Gang Leader | 4.5 years | Jailed |
| Eldi Tafa | Gang Leader | Pending | Fugitive |
| Servet Dobrushi | Sales Coordinator | Not specified | Jailed |
| Simon Jackson | Insurance Fraudster | Not specified | Jailed |
When police searched Simon Jackson’s home in Brentwood, they found the proceeds of his criminal enterprise: expensive designer clothes, premium trainers, bottles of champagne, and over £3,000 in cash. His notebooks contained hundreds of email addresses and figures, showing the scale of his fraudulent insurance business that generated £360,000 in criminal profits.
What This Means for Communities Across the UK
The impact of Albanian gang cannabis operations extends far beyond the immediate criminal activity. These networks don’t exist in isolation – they’re part of a broader pattern of organised crime that affects ordinary people in ways they might never realize.
Professor James Martinez, a criminologist specializing in transnational organized crime, explains the wider implications: “When we see operations like this being dismantled, it’s just one piece of a much larger puzzle. These groups often use cannabis profits to fund other criminal activities, including human trafficking and violence.”
For residents in areas like Southend, the presence of such operations brings hidden risks. Cannabis factories are fire hazards due to illegal electrical installations, they can cause structural damage to properties, and they often attract other criminal elements to otherwise peaceful neighborhoods.
The use of fraudulent insurance policies also has broader consequences. When criminals like Jackson create fake policies, it drives up costs for legitimate customers and undermines trust in the insurance system.
“What people don’t realize is that every time a criminal network like this operates successfully, it emboldens others,” says Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Williams from the National Crime Agency. “Our job isn’t just about catching these specific individuals – it’s about sending a message that the UK won’t be used as a base for international criminal operations.”
The fact that Eldi Tafa remains at large, hiding outside the UK, demonstrates how these networks operate across international boundaries. While his co-conspirators received sentences totaling over 11 years, the hunt for the gang’s co-leader continues.
Local communities are being urged to watch for signs of cannabis cultivation: unusual smells, covered windows, excessive condensation, and high electricity usage. The success in dismantling this Albanian gang cannabis network relied partly on information from vigilant neighbors who noticed something wasn’t quite right.
For law enforcement, this case represents both a victory and a reminder of the challenges ahead. While this particular operation has been shut down, the demand for cannabis continues, and other criminal groups are likely already planning to fill the gap left behind.
FAQs
How long were the Albanian gang members sentenced to?
The four convicted members received a combined sentence of more than 11 years, with gang leader Sefedin Tafa receiving 4.5 years.
How much money did the cannabis operation make?
The Albanian gang made over £500,000 in profits between 2023 and 2025, with additional income from fraudulent insurance policies worth £360,000.
What happened to the gang leader Eldi Tafa?
Eldi Tafa remains at large and is believed to be hiding outside the UK. Police efforts to locate and arrest him are ongoing.
How was the cannabis operation discovered?
Police discovered the operation during a raid on a property in Aragon Close, Southend, in the early hours of August 30, 2023, where they found 446 cannabis plants.
What role did the insurance broker play?
Simon Jackson created fraudulent car insurance policies to make the gang’s vehicles appear legitimate, allowing them to transport cannabis and cash without attracting police attention.
How can people report suspected cannabis factories?
Residents can report suspicious activity to their local police or call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if they notice unusual smells, covered windows, or other signs of cannabis cultivation.
About the Author
