Deadly Turf War Over £95k Cannabis Factory Rocks Bristol Street
Aranit Lleshi died after a savage brawl between two gangs fighting over a cannabis factory in Brislington last May. The illegal grow housed around £95,000 worth of cannabis, sparking a violent showdown on Bloomfield Road.
Clash Ends in Tragedy
The brutal face-off ended with Lleshi fatally injured. A jury has since cleared two suspects—Sadik Lleshi, 35, from Tottenham, not guilty of violent disorder, and Rinush Behari, 33, from Woolwich, also acquitted of murder and violent disorder. Meanwhile, a third has been convicted of manslaughter. Sentencing dates are yet to be confirmed.
Violence Caught on Camera
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker described the scene as “horrendous” in a normally quiet neighbourhood. “These two London-based groups unleashed extreme violence, using anything as a weapon,” he said.
Shocking CCTV evidence showed defendants Brikel Palaj and Radian Lika buying four large kitchen knives from a supermarket—ready to cause serious harm.
Police and CPS Crack Down on Organised Crime
DCI Walker revealed the painstaking investigation involved tracking both gangs’ movements through hours of CCTV, mobile phone data, and witness statements. “This was a complex probe, but our hearts remain with the victim’s family,” he added.
“Organised crime fuels these cannabis grows and while deadly violence isn’t common, the risk is always there,” said DCI Walker. He urged the public to report any suspicious drug activity to police or anonymously via Crimestoppers.
Senior Crown Prosecutor Stella Waata warned, “The ferocious violence witnessed shows the danger posed by organised crime groups. We’re committed to dismantling them and prosecuting weapon-related crimes to the full extent.”
Community Support Praised
Both police and prosecutors thanked local residents and witnesses for their crucial support in bringing the case to trial quickly and efficiently. The investigation combined CCTV, forensics, cell site and ANPR data to build a solid case.
This fatal feud over a cannabis empire has sent shockwaves through Bristol — a warning of the deadly dark side of illegal drug turf wars.
