Latest news with #ProceedsofCrimeAct
Western Telegraph
a day ago
- Western Telegraph
Cannabis dealer stashed machete and knuckleduster at home
Prosecutor Alycia Carpanini told Swansea Crown Court that police attended Bradley Southall's address in Milford Haven on the afternoon of September 9. He wasn't at home initially, but when they returned at 2.10pm he was standing outside the property. The officers asked Southall if they were going to find any drugs inside, to which he replied: 'Not that I remember, unless you found something'. For the latest crime and court news for west Wales, you can join our Facebook group here. Whilst they were inside, the defendant was seen nervously looking towards one corner of the living room. In a backpack in that corner were 15 bags of cannabis, which a drug expert valued at £4,670 if sold in street deals. His phone was seized, and analysis found drug-related messages dating back to 2020. Officers also found a silver knuckleduster down the back of the sofa, and a machete – around 65cm in length from handle to tip – in a kitchen corner cabinet. Southall was arrested, and in interview claimed the drugs were for his own personal use. The 50-year-old defendant, of Precelly Place, had 11 previous convictions for 22 offences. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cannabis, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, and two offences of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place. Hannah George, in mitigation, said Southall had been a 'long-term user' of cannabis – since he was 15 – and had now been selling the drug he was addicted to. She said Southall had previously rid himself of a heroin addiction, and that he was taking steps to reduce his use of cannabis by working with the support available to him. 'He is capable of addressing his drug misuse,' she said. Ms George said this was the defendant's first experience of custody since 1997, and being away from his teenage son – who he is the sole carer for – has had an impact on him. 'It's unfortunate it's taken the defendant's arrest for him to realise he has so much to lose,' she said. 'Your [teenage] son should clearly not be in a property where there is cannabis available to find, where there is a machete available to find, and where there is a knuckleduster available to find,' said the judge, Recorder Christopher Felstead. 'It's obvious to me you have put your son at risk by bringing those items into the property.' Recorder Felstead sentenced Southall to nine months for the cannabis offences, suspended for 18 months, and he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. The defendant also received one-month sentences – each running concurrently – for the weapons charges. Ms Carpanini confirmed that the Crown Prosecution Service will make an application under the Proceeds of Crime Act to attempt to recover any profits Southall made from his offending.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Wales Online
This man was known as 'Mr Italy' before his criminal empire fell apart
This man was known as 'Mr Italy' before his criminal empire fell apart The group he was a part of was also linked to large-scale drug supply. Andrew Cooney (Image: GMP ) A man who was found to have benefited from criminal conduct to the value of over £2 million is set to lose his luxury watches and overseas property following proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Andrew Cooney was involved in a criminal group responsible for the largest gun-running conspiracy ever disrupted by UK law enforcement. The group was also linked to large-scale drug supply, Manchester Evening News reports. The gang operated from a flat at Cotton Field Wharf, a residential development in Ancoats Marina where firearms, ammunition, drugs, and large sums of cash were stored. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here A judge previously described the group's activity as criminality on an 'exceptional scale'. The conspiracy involved the distribution of approximately £70 million worth of cocaine and the sale of 48 Skorpion machine pistols across the UK and Ireland, at prices ranging between £9,000 and £15,000 each. Top row, left to right: Andrew Cooney, Daniel Waters, Mohammed Omar Malik and Daniel Gibbons. Bottom row, left to right: Sean Hogan, Conor Sandlan and Adrian Gonzales Cooney, who was referred to as 'Mr Italy' in reference to a property he owned there, was involved in the supply of drugs and firearms and acted as a broker for the group. At his address in Alderley Edge, police recovered a kilogram of cocaine from his Audi A3, along with two Porsche vehicles parked outside. Officers also seized a number of luxury watches, mobile phones, a vacuum packing machine, and paperwork relating to a villa in Italy. In 2023, Cooney was sentenced to 27 years in prison. Following a financial investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act, he was found to have benefited from crime in the amount of £2,376,867.89. However, his available assets were assessed at £32,158.95. This includes a Rolex Daytona watch, an Audemars Piguet watch, and his share in the Italian property. At a hearing at Minshull Street Crown Court on Thursday (May 29), Judge Bernadette Baxter ruled that if the amount is not paid within three months, a further 12 months will be added to Cooney's sentence. Under proceeds of crime legislation, prosecutors can seek to recover the financial benefit of criminal conduct, with funds often directed toward community initiatives. During his trial, Cooney told the court he had worked on a market stall as a teenager, later as a cleaner and youth worker, before moving into property auctions. He said he became involved in drug dealing due to financial pressures. Cooney, 39, of Oakfield Close, Alderley Edge, was found guilty of conspiring to possess firearms or ammunition with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to supply cocaine. He was acquitted of conspiring to supply amphetamine. Mohammed Omar Malik, aged 33 and of St Mary's Parsonage, Manchester city centre, was found guilty of conspiracy to possess firearms or ammunition with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to supply cocaine, MDMA, and amphetamine. He was sentenced to 38 years in prison. Daniel Gibbons, 39, of Wordsworth Road, Reddish, Stockport, was found guilty of conspiracy to possess firearms or ammunition with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to supply cocaine, and conspiracy to supply amphetamine. He was acquitted of conspiracy to supply MDMA and was sentenced to 28 years. Daniel Waters, aged 41 and of Broom Avenue, Reddish, Stockport, was found guilty of conspiring to possess firearms or ammunition with intent to endanger life. He received a sentence of 26 years and 6 months in prison. Sean Hogan, 40, of West Park, Denton, Tameside, was found guilty of conspiring to supply firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life. He was also found guilty of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and ketamine. He was sentenced to 24 years in prison. Conor Sandlan, 32, of Redfearn Wood, Rochdale, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess firearms or ammunition with intent to endanger life, as well as conspiracy to supply cocaine, MDMA, and amphetamine. He was sentenced to 30 years and 6 months. Adrian Gonzalez, aged 33 and of City Road East, Manchester, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life, and to conspiracy to supply cocaine, MDMA, and amphetamine. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Article continues below
North Wales Chronicle
5 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
PCC Andy Dunbobbin visits Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC
PCC Andy Dunbobbin spent time at Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC, at the Beacon Climbing Centre, on Sunday, May 18, to witness how the centre is using funding from the 'Your Community, Your Choice' initiative to support people recovering from substance addiction. Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC, in partnership with North Wales Recovery Communities, is using the funding to run a climbing programme for individuals who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Many participants also face mental health challenges and have previous involvement in the criminal justice system. The climbing sessions take place at the Beacon Climbing Centre and outdoors in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, and see participants learn climbing techniques, practice teamwork through belaying and group problem-solving, and build confidence by confronting physical and mental challenges. During his visit, PCC Dunbobbin toured the facilities, spoke with programme leaders, and observed a demonstration session. He said: "It was inspiring to visit Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC and see firsthand how they're using this funding to support individuals on their recovery journey. "This initiative aligns with my Police and Crime Plan's focus on crime prevention and building resilient communities." Rachael Hobbs, adventure co-ordinator at Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC, added: "This funding is transformative for our climbing programme. "We ran a successful pilot last year that showed benefits for participants. "The support from 'Your Community, Your Choice' means we can make this programme accessible to more people in recovery and create sustainable positive change in their lives. "By scheduling these sessions on Monday evenings, we're not only teaching valuable skills but providing a healthy start to the week that helps their recovery journey." Ashley Rogers, chairman of the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT), said: "Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC's climbing programme represents exactly what 'Your Community, Your Choice' is about – using funds seized from criminal activity to create positive opportunities that prevent future crime. "We're proud to support such an innovative project." Over the past 12 years, the 'Your Community, Your Choice' scheme has awarded nearly £660,000 to 214 initiatives working to reduce crime in their neighbourhoods and support the priorities in the PCC's Police and Crime Plan. READ MORE: Ceremony marks the start of work on 54 new homes in Anglesey Funding comes partly from money seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act, with the rest contributed by the PCC. For more details on Pen Y Bryn Outdoor Learning CIC, visit To learn more about PACT, visit and to learn more about the work of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, visit
Pembrokeshire Herald
26-05-2025
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Trio jailed over cannabis farm ordered to pay back just £1 each
THREE men jailed for running a large-scale cannabis farm inside a disused school in Llandysul have been ordered to pay back just £1 each, after being found to have no assets available for confiscation. Armeld Troksi, Njazi Gjana and Ervin Gjana were caught when Dyfed-Powys Police raided the former primary school on Heol Y Fran in November 2024. Officers discovered 819 cannabis plants being cultivated across three floors in what was described as a 'highly sophisticated' grow operation. The drugs seized were estimated to have a street value of up to £620,000. At the scene, Troksi was found hiding in a toilet with dried cannabis stuck to him. Njazi Gjana told officers: 'This is the first time I've ever done anything like this,' while 25-year-old Ervin Gjana tried to flee over a fence but was tracked down by a drone and arrested on a nearby road. All three men pleaded guilty to producing cannabis. Troksi, 29, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison. The Gjana cousins, both of Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, received two-and-a-half years each. At sentencing, the court heard they were in the UK illegally. Gjana claimed he had been promised £6,000 to harvest cannabis but had not been paid. He said he had arrived in the UK ten years ago in a lorry from France and had been working in the construction trade. Troksi said he had been pressured into working on the farm to repay a debt and was 'genuinely scared.' The three men returned to Swansea Crown Court on May 19 for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing, where Judge Huw Rees initially adjourned the case so the defendants—who were unrepresented—could seek legal advice. 'I hope they realise that I'm doing this in fairness to them,' he told the court. When the matter returned on May 23, it was agreed the men had jointly benefited from their criminal activity to the sum of £458,500. However, as they had no assets to seize, Judge Paul Thomas KC imposed nominal confiscation orders of £1 each. 'You will serve up to half of your sentence,' Judge Thomas said during sentencing. 'What happens thereafter is a matter for the immigration authorities.' Pictured above: Cannabis factory: 819 plants were found inside the former school building in Llandysul (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police).
Western Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Western Telegraph
Trio grew cannabis inside former Llandysul school building
Armeld Troksi, Njazi Gjana, and Ervin Gjana tried to flee when police raided a major cannabis operation in an empty school building on Heol Y Fran on November 15. Troksi was found hiding in the toilet with pieces of dried cannabis stuck to him, and Njazi Gjana told officers: 'This is the first time I've ever done anything like this' when he was found. Hundreds of cannabis plants were found inside the empty school building. (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police) Ervin Gjana, now 25, of Durham Avenue in Romford, climbed over a wire fence and fled into nearby fields. He was located with the help of a drone and arrested walking along a nearby road. They each pleaded guilty to producing cannabis. Troksi was jailed for three years and four months, whilst the two others were each sentenced to two-and-a-half years. For the latest crime and court news for west Wales, you can join our Facebook group here. Inside the former school building, officers found a total of 819 cannabis plants, prosecutor Brian Simpson said. Dyfed-Powys Police have since confirmed that the plants were capable of producing cannabis worth up to £620,000. The trio returned to court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing, where it was agreed that they had benefited from their offending to the sum of £458,500. However, they were each found to have no available assets to be seized, so Judge Paul Thomas KC handed each defendant a confiscation order in the nominal sum of £1. Cannabis plants found inside the empty school building in Llandysul. (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police) At their sentencing hearing, the court heard that Njazi Gjana and Troksi, both of Empire Avenue in the Edmonton area of London, were in the UK illegally. Gjana, 27, told officers he had been at the property for around two weeks. He said he arrived in the UK 10 years ago on a lorry from France, after which he had been working in the construction industry in London. He added that he was pressured to harvest cannabis for cash – and had been promised £6,000 which he had not received. 29-year-old Troksi said he was 'genuinely scared' and had been told to work there to pay off a debt. 'You will serve up to half of your sentence,' Judge Thomas told the trio at their sentencing hearing. 'What happens thereafter is a matter for the immigration authorities.'
