‘These individuals were part of a sophisticated network profiting from large-scale cannabis production’

13:53, 18 Nov 2025Updated 14:15, 18 Nov 2025

Top: L-R: Klajdi Hazizollo, Enrik Ziu, Fatbardh Shahini. Bottom: L-R: Arber Hima, Tzoni Kardashi.

Six men and a woman who police said were part of a ‘sophisticated’ network of ‘large-scale’ cannabis production have been convicted.

The seven convictions followed a major investigation into an Albanian organised crime group operating across Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire, police said.

Six of them have now been jailed, with police saying they were ‘responsible for running multiple cannabis farms’. A huge amount of cannabis – said to be worth as much as £1.5m – was seized, together with hundreds of thousands of pounds in cash.

All seven were sentenced at Manchester Crown Court last Friday, November 14.

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Tzoni Kardashi, 23, of City View Apartments, Salford, was jailed for three years and two months. Arber Hima, 24, also of City View Apartments, Salford, was jailed for three years.

Klajdi Hazizollo, 33, of Bowkerbank Avenue, Crumpsall, was locked up for four years and five months.

Fatbadh Shajini, 37, of Lewis Street, Eccles, Salford, was jailed for four years and four months and Fatbardh Shahini, 37, of Lewis Street, Eccles, Salford, got three years and four months. All five pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis, police said.

A cannabis farm(Image: NWROCU)

Enrik Ziu, 37, of Melia House in Manchester’s Green Quarter, was found guilty after trial of the same offence. He was jailed for four years and four months

A woman, Samanda Hazizi, 24 of Waterloo Road, Cheetham Hill, was handed a 12-month community order. She admitted money laundering.

Four men also linked to the investigation have already been jailed, police said, following investigations by the Foreign National Offender Team and Greater Manchester Police. Another man, meanwhile, was immediately deported to Albania after his arrest.

Police said the group was ‘responsible for running multiple cannabis farms’ which they said generated ‘significant criminal profits’.

During searches after arrests were made, officers seized cannabis with an estimated street value of between £498,980 and £1.5m. More than £33,000 in cash was also recovered.

Bags of cannabis(Image: NWROCU)

Detective Sergeant Lee Coulson, from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit’s Foreign National Offender Team said: “This sentencing sends a clear message – organised crime groups operating in our communities will be relentlessly pursued and dismantled.

“These individuals were part of a sophisticated network profiting from large-scale cannabis production, exploiting vulnerable people and causing harm across Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire.

“Thanks to the dedication of NWROCU officers and partner agencies, we have disrupted their criminal enterprise, seized significant assets, and prevented further damage.

“We remain committed to targeting those who seek to profit from illegal activity and will continue working to keep our communities safe.” No further details have been revealed.

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