Three drug dealers have been jailed after £11m worth of cocaine and crystal meth was uncovered by police – one of the largest seizures of its kind in the North East.
Bernard Runaj, Gentjan Dervishaj and Khalid Raheem are all behind bars following their involvement in one of the biggest drugs conspiracies in the region’s history.
On February 24, officers from Northumbria Police, with the support of colleagues from Cleveland Police, carried out three separate coordinated vehicle stops in Teesside and North Yorkshire following intelligence relating to suspected drugs offences.
They searched three vehicles and discovered a total of 50kg of cocaine and 30kg of crystal meth – with a combined estimated street value of £11 million.
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The trio quickly found themselves in the back of a police car and were later charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession with intent to supply.
Runaj, 42, Dervishaj, 31, and Raheem, 35, all saw the mountain of evidence stacked against them and pleaded guilty at an earlier date.
On Friday (October 14), they all appeared at Newcastle Crown Court.
Bernard Runaj, of Oldenwood Road, Maidenhead, was sentenced to nine years and two months.
Gentjan Dervishaj, of Chelmsford, Essex, was sentenced to nine years.
Khalid Raheem, of Edwins Close, Barnsley, was sentenced to nine years.
Following the court judgement, a spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: “This type of activity forms part of our ongoing commitment to tackle serious and organised crime under the banner of Operation Sentinel.
“The harmful impact of illegal drugs can reach far within the communities we serve, and we want to reassure the public that our targeted action against individuals looking to exploit the vulnerable will continue and those found to be involved will find themselves in court.”
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