**Police Uncover £90,000 Worth of Drugs in Newport Flat Following Suspicious Activity**
A routine observation led South Wales Police to a major drugs bust in Newport, as officers unearthed an illicit haul worth nearly £90,000 after noticing suspicious behaviour outside a city centre flat.
The operation unfolded after the arrest of Ahmet Cenaj, 24, who was initially stopped by officers whilst driving a Mercedes in Newport on 14 October last year. Upon investigating the boot of his vehicle, police discovered a black bin bag containing approximately 950 grams of cannabis, alongside two mobile phones and £445 in cash. Cenaj maintained that he was unaware of the contents of the bag, claiming the package had been handed to him by another individual. Furthermore, he refused to surrender the PIN codes to his seized devices.
Despite his denial, subsequent analysis of Cenaj’s mobile phones revealed a series of incriminating messages. These conversations detailed discussions about buying and selling large quantities of cannabis—amounting to up to 7 kilograms at a time. Along with these communications, officers reportedly found videos showing Cenaj weighing, packaging, and handling the drug, further underscoring his direct involvement in the supply of cannabis.
The investigation gathered pace in January this year when police turned their attention to Cenaj’s residence on Mill Street. On 25 January, officers on surveillance witnessed 22-year-old Ergys Nika entering the property empty-handed and exiting soon afterwards carrying a large bag. Intercepting Nika, police found the bag inside was packed with cannabis.
Nika was promptly taken back to the flat, where a third individual, Jetmir Nika, aged 19, was present. A search of the younger Nika led to the discovery of a disposable vape device filled with seven grip seal bags containing cocaine. Police seized three more mobile phones from the address, all of which contained evidence of discussions relating to the supply of illegal drugs.
A thorough search of the flat revealed the full extent of the criminal enterprise. Police catalogued a total haul consisting of 29 kilograms of cannabis and 197 grip seal bags of cocaine, which in total weighed 58.5 grams, as well as £37,500 in cash. According to prosecuting counsel Byron Broadstock, the cannabis was valued at £79,160, and the cocaine carried an estimated street value of £10,740.
During sentencing proceedings at Cardiff Crown Court, it was revealed that all three defendants are Albanian nationals with no prior criminal convictions. Cenaj entered guilty pleas to charges of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and being concerned in the supply of Class B substances. Meanwhile, both Ergys and Jetmir Nika pleaded guilty to being involved in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, as well as possession of criminal property.
In mitigation, Cenaj’s barrister stressed his client’s cooperation with authorities and stated that Cenaj had already spent 137 days on curfew while remanded in custody. Arguments put forward on behalf of the Nika brothers highlighted their previously clean records, with Ergys Nika expressing a desire to return to Albania to see his family, and Jetmir Nika expressing hopes of distancing himself from criminal activity upon release.
Ultimately, Cenaj received a sentence of 12 months imprisonment, while Ergys and Jetmir Nika were each handed custodial terms of 45 months. The scale and sophistication of the operation, as revealed by the police investigation, exemplifies the continued challenges faced by law enforcement agencies tackling the illegal drugs trade in South Wales.
This successful operation underscores the crucial role of vigilant policing in identifying and disrupting illicit drug activity, as well as the significant consequences faced by those found to be profiting from the supply of controlled substances. As the region continues its fight against drug-related crime, this case also raises questions about the international dimensions of local drugs networks and the efforts required to curtail them.