Three men behind huge Maidstone cocaine ring locked up after CID smash ‘Vito Line’ phone operation
‘Vito Line’ Phone Network Cracked by Plainclothes Cops
Detectives have brought down a major cocaine distribution ring in Maidstone, arresting three men who used a secret phone line called the ‘Vito Line’ to co-ordinate drug deals across the town.
On 2 May, plainclothes officers swooped on the suspects in Brunswick Street. They seized four mobile phones and uncovered nearly 100 cocaine deals linked to the network. Messages and photos tied Vitlum Hasanaj directly to the ‘Vito Line’, showing him ordering two others to supply drugs to a third man.
Undercover Sting Nets Airport Arrests and Cash Haul
Two weeks later, police stopped a car in Hastings Road after spotting a known drug user. Driver Gezim Dollapaj was arrested with £293 in cash. His phone confirmed he was delivering cocaine for the ‘Vito Line’ gang.
Further investigation revealed Kreshnik Hasanaj was also involved, sending drug deal messages on a number connected to his brother Vitlum.
On 30 June, officers arrested Vitlum Hasanaj as he landed at Stansted Airport. His brother Kreshnik was caught nearby with £1,230 cash seized from their car. Phones recovered from both men exposed their cocaine empire supplying dealers across Maidstone.
Brothers and Accomplice Sentenced After Guilty Verdict
- Kreshnik Hasanaj, 27, of Enfield
- Vitlum Hasanaj, 36, of Maidstone
- Gezim Dollapaj, 41, of Southwark
All Albanian nationals, the trio pleaded not guilty at Maidstone Crown Court. After an eight-day trial, they were found guilty. On 20 March 2026, the Hasanaj brothers were jailed for five years each, while Dollapaj was sentenced to three and a half years.
Detective Inspector Matt Lynch said: “These two brothers ran a significant criminal enterprise, profiting from flooding Maidstone with cocaine. They thought they could stay hidden by using others, but they underestimated our officers’ determination.
They brought misery to families across the town and must now face the consequences. Their prison sentences are fully deserved.”
