A drugs courier who was a member of an organised crime group (OCG) in London was found in possession of £20,000 after travelling to south Wales. He played a part in the transportation of 15kg of high-purity cocaine.
Erjon Xhika, 34, was involved in a conspiracy to supply Class A drugs through his membership of the OCG which entered into an arrangement to sell cocaine to local commercial suppliers in south Wales. A total of 15kg of cocaine was trafficked from London to south Wales and would then be mixed with cutting agents before being repackaged for onward supply. Speaking at a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court Judge Shomon Khan said: “The trafficking of kilogram quantities of cocaine would have caused immeasurable harm to communities in south Wales.”
The defendant’s involvement with the enterprise saw him travelling to south Wales on August 17, 2021, and August 20, 2021, in order to collect cash from dealer Klodian Zefi who had purchased cocaine from the London OCG. Xhika was stopped by police on the second date and was found in possession of £20,000 in cash. Judge Khan said he had made an inference the defendant had collected a similar sum on the earlier date. He added: “I am satisfied you had a full knowledge of the workings of the conspiracy and on those dates you were an essential part of it.”
The court heard there was evidence of significant amounts of cocaine being moved downstream and and significant amounts of cash moved upstream. The judge told the defendant: “I am also sure you had an expectation of significant financial reward.”
Xhika, of Blundell Road, Edgware, Barnet, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and sentenced to eight months imprisonment. He was also made subject to Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings and was told he was liable for automatic deportation at the end of his sentence.
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