Members of an organised criminal network who distributed cocaine in north London were jailed at Harrow Crown Court on Friday, 15 January.

The group of Albanian nationals operated from a variety of addresses across north London and were arrested following a long-term, intelligence led operation by officers from the Serious and Organised Crime Command.

Four men were sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (16kg of cocaine) and possession of criminal property.

Gentian Cuka, 38 (24.09.77), described as the leader of the group, of Fox Lane, N13 was sentenced to 10 years’ and four months imprisonment. He was also given a 12 month sentence and a six month sentence to run concurrently for POCA (Proceeds of Crime Act) offences.

Skender Toci, 37 (08.07.78) of Mountfield Road, N3 was sentenced to seven years’ and eight months imprisonment. He was given an eight month sentence to run concurrently for POCA (Proceeds of Crime Act) offences.

Besnik Mansaku, 40 (10.03.75) of Mountfield Road, N3 was sentenced to seven years’ and four months imprisonment. He was given a six month sentence to run concurrently for POCA (Proceeds of Crime Act) offences.

Abdul Topcu, 41 (23.08.74) of Jules Thorn Avenue, EN1 was sentenced to seven years’ four months imprisonment. He was given a four year and four months sentence to run concurrently for POCA (Proceeds of Crime Act) offences.

Mentor Muslika, 33 (26.08.82) of Cunard Crescent, N21, had his sentencing adjourned to a date to be confirmed.

Another man, Elvis Vladi, 35 (02.03.80) of Cester Street, E8 was found not guilty of the above offences.

Over the course of four months, officers carried out surveillance on the group, monitoring their movements and gathering evidence which could be used against them.

This surveillance revealed Cuka as the mastermind of the group; directing operations and arranging how and who to distribute their drugs to.

On 19 May 2015, officers swooped on an address Cuka was using in Hannah Court, Southgate. They had observed Mansaku leaving the address with a bag; officers stopped him and a violent struggle ensued. Once Mansaku was detained, officers searched the bag and found two 1kg packages of cocaine inside.

Cuka was also arrested as he left the address a short time later and when officers searched inside the property they discovered 11 bags of cocaine, each weighing 1kg, as well as £3,100 in cash.

Officers then attended another address they had been keeping watch on in Mountfield Road, N3. Inside they found Toci who was also arrested. A search of the address recovered a further £4,000 in cash.

Further investigation led police to Jules Thorn Avenue, Enfield on 16 June where Topcu was arrested and over £50,000 cash was recovered, along with a number of high value watches and a Kruggerand [a South African gold coin] with an estimated value of £800.

Muslika was found at his home in Cunard Crescent, N21 and over £12,000 cash was recovered. Officers also found receipts for various high value goods which had been paid for in cash, such as designer handbags, wallets and electrical goods.

DC Liam Hurley from the Met’s Serious and Organised Crime Command, said:

“This group thought they could operate with impunity, supplying large quantities of drugs to be distributed across the streets of London.

“However, due to the diligent work of the Serious and Organised Crime Command, Cuka and his associates are now facing a lengthy spell behind bars.

“Drugs blight communities and we will work to pursue those who seek to profit from the plight of others and put them behind bars.”

Earlier this year, four other people linked to this criminal network were convicted of the following offences:

Anthony Carolan, 41 (09.08.74) of Lady Margaret Road, NW5 pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 10 August 2015 to possession with intent to supply class A drugs (1kg of cocaine). He was jailed for five years and six months.

Urim Serini, 44 (05.09.71) of King Edwards Road, Enfield pleaded guilty at Harrow Crown Court on 27 February 2015 to possession with intent to supply class A drugs (1kg of cocaine). He was jailed for three years and four months.

Jamal Marcano, 21 (14.02.94) of Solomon Avenue, N9 pleaded guilty at Wood Green Crown Court on 16 July 2015 to possession with intent to supply class A drugs (1kg of cocaine). He was jailed for four years.

Hyrushe Tobli, 24 (01.09.91) of Cunard Crescent, N21 pleaded guilty to possession of a false identity document. She was jailed for eight months.

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