Big Cannabis Bust in Dorset: Three Men Jailed
Three men with no fixed address were locked up after police uncovered a massive cannabis factory at an industrial estate in Bournemouth.
Five Years for Kastriot, Others Also Sentenced
- Kastriot Aliaj, 31, found guilty of producing Class B drugs and handling criminal property, was sentenced to five years in prison on 29 March 2021.
- Arber Aliaj, 23, and Leonard Bruci, 27, both admitted to involvement in producing a Class B drug and received two years and three months each on 29 January 2021.
- A fourth man, 47, also charged but jury failed to reach a verdict; no further action will be taken against him.
Police Raid Reveals Huge Cannabis Farm
On the night of 27 December 2019, Dorset Police swooped on Sandford Lane Industrial Estate after reports of suspicious activity around a white van. They discovered a large grow operation inside interconnected industrial units, partitioned into separate zones with plastic sheeting.
Officers found 2,122 cannabis plants and seedlings in various growth stages. Bruci, Arber Aliaj, and another man were arrested inside the premises. Kastriot Aliaj was stopped in the suspicious van and also arrested.
Drugs Worth Up to £7 Million Annually
A drugs expert valued the crop between £594,160 and £1.78 million. The potential annual value of the operation was estimated as high as £7.1 million.
Investigators found fingerprints of Arber Aliaj and Leonard Bruci on growing equipment. Phone analysis showed Kastriot Aliaj regularly travelled between Birmingham and Wareham and was in frequent contact with the others.
Detective Constable Declan Cummings said: “These men were clearly involved in a major operation to produce illegal drugs. Thanks to a tip-off from a member of the public, we uncovered their factory and seized a significant quantity of cannabis.
“We understand the harmful impact of illegal drugs on our communities and will keep disrupting those involved in the supply chain.”
