**Police Seize Suspected Organised Crime ‘Pool Car’ Carrying Cannabis Valued at £11,000**
A vehicle intercepted on the outskirts of Llanelli is believed by law enforcement to have been used as a so-called “pool car” by a Midlands-based organised crime group. The vehicle, a Ford, was stopped by Dyfed-Powys Police officers as it travelled into west Wales, leading to the discovery of a significant quantity of cannabis and the arrest of a courier connected to the alleged distribution network.
According to details presented in Swansea Crown Court, the car was halted on the connecting road between Hendy and Llangennech, following intelligence suggesting it had driven to Wales from the Midlands region. Officers conducted a thorough search after bringing the vehicle to a stop, uncovering a single bag containing cannabis weighing one kilogramme. The street value of the drugs seized is estimated to be around £11,000.
Appearing in court to answer for the incident was Bledart Livadhi, a 23-year-old originally from Albania. During questioning, Livadhi claimed he had borrowed the car from a friend and professed ignorance regarding the presence of any illicit substances. Notably, investigators were unable to examine his mobile phone for further evidence, as the device remained locked and the PIN unobtainable.
The court heard that the Ford in question was formally registered to an individual with an address in the Midlands but was actually insured by a corporate entity. Prosecutors asserted their view that the car’s ambiguous ownership, as well as the circumstances of its use, strongly indicated its status as a “pool car” — a vehicle circulated amongst members of an organised crime group to facilitate illegal activities while attempting to obscure responsibility.
Since the vehicle’s seizure by police around a month ago, authorities revealed that not a single person has come forward with a credible claim to its ownership. Welsh police indicate this further substantiates their theory about the car’s role in criminal operations.
Livadhi had entered a guilty plea to possession of cannabis with intent to supply, basing his plea on the contention that he had only been acting as a courier, transporting the drugs from one location to another. This account was accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service. Defence counsel, Alex Scott, explained that Livadhi had arrived in the United Kingdom illegally in 2019 and lacked settled status. Faced with limited opportunities for legitimate employment, it was alleged that he was recruited via word of mouth in his local community and agreed to act as a courier for financial compensation.
Addressing the court, Judge Huw Rees accepted that there was no evidence of Livadhi carrying out similar transportation jobs previously. The judge ruled that sentencing should reflect only the single, confirmed journey made on the 15th of May. He also acknowledged the reasonable belief put forward by police that the car was tied to an Albanian-organised crime network, justifying a forfeiture order for the vehicle.
Judge Rees was explicit in his remarks toward Livadhi, stating that his illegal entry into the UK, followed by involvement in “serious criminal activity”, warranted not only a custodial sentence but also notification of the Home Office regarding deportation procedures following the completion of his term.
In line with sentencing guidelines, and taking into account the defendant’s early guilty plea which entitled him to a 25% reduction, Livadhi was ordered to serve three months in prison. It is customary for prisoners in such circumstances to be released on licence halfway through their sentence.
Furthermore, Judge Rees clarified that any party wishing to contest ownership of the seized Ford could initiate a claim under the Police (Property) Act 1897, though no such claims have arisen to date.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by Welsh police to disrupt the activities of criminal groups utilising so-called “pool cars” to facilitate the movement of drugs and other illegal commodities across the UK. Officers urge the public to report any suspicious vehicles or activity, as they seek to clamp down on organised crime operations in the region.