Drug gang convicted of cocaine trafficking in Worthing

An investigation into six men involved in the cocaine trade between London and the Sussex coast has now been completed.

Sussex Police's Serious Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) led the complex investigation, which resulted in the seizure of approximately 850 grams of cocaine and over £32,000 in cash.

Officers discovered that courier Naim Shala regularly drove his Mazda from Wembley to Worthing between June and October 2022.

He delivered the Class A drugs to an address in Pavilion Road, where Kristian Buqa took possession of them and prepared them for street sale.

It is estimated that around four kilograms of cocaine was transported between the two locations for sale on the street during this period, with an estimated value of between £313,600 and £392,000.

Buqa then distributed it to drivers Christian Violi and Saimir Jaho, who in turn delivered it to customers in the area.

Through investigation, SOCU established that Fatma Hasa operated the 'Gesti' county line in Wembley and gave instructions to dealers on where to distribute the illegal substances. The mobile phone he used to operate the line was also seized.

All five suspects were subsequently arrested and charged with the following:

• Hasa, 26, of Wembley Hill Road, Wembley, was charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.
• Buqa, 31, of Pavilion Road, Worthing, was charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine.
• Shala, 45, of Vale Close, Newport, was charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine.
• Jaho, 31, of Somerhill Avenue, Hove, was charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine.
• Violi, 34, of Albany Road, Southsea, was charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine.

A sixth defendant – Xhonatan Matei, 38, of Shortcrofts Road, Dagenham – was also identified in connection with the 'Gesti' line after he was stopped in his Mercedes on the A24 near Findon in April 2023. He had travelled from London to replenish the group following the seizures.

He was arrested and charged with involvement in cocaine trafficking and cocaine possession.

The case ended with the conviction of Violi, who was sentenced to two years' imprisonment – suspended for two years – and ordered to carry out 180 hours' unpaid work at Lewes Crown Court on 19 July this year.

At previous hearings before the same court in August 2023, Hasa was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison, Buqa to six years in prison, Shala to five years in prison and Jaho to 24 months in prison – suspended for two years.

The following month, Matei was sentenced to three years in prison.

Detective Constable Jon Freeman of Sussex Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit said:

“These six defendants all played a key role in the supply chain to ensure its successful operation in the Worthing area. But success only went so far.

“Thanks to the hard work of our officers, working alongside other teams across Sussex Police, as well as the National Crime Agency and the Met Police Organised Crime Partnership, we were able to identify her and gather enough evidence to present to the Crown Prosecution Service, leading to her death.

“This has enabled us to help remove a significant amount of harmful drugs and illicit proceeds from the local community where they would otherwise cause harm to vulnerable users.”