A drug boss was arrested in his flip flops by cops who snared him for pedalling cocaine and cannabis.
Oltion Ademi, 38, has been jailed for four years and 10 months behind bars following years of running his undercover operation in Hull.
He ran his two businesses – a luxury bra shop and a health supplement store – as a front for his dodgy dealings, Hull Crown Court was told earlier this week after he pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply and being concerned in supplying cannabis.
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Ademi, also known as “Tony”, had a famous love of flashy cars and designer clothes – but when he was finally arrested, he was wearing nothing but a black T-shirt, shorts and a pair of flip-flops, HullLive reported.
(Image: Hull Live)
Ademi is thought to have been involved in drug dealing in Hull for more than a decade prior to his eventual arrest – witnesses said he was involved with a network of cannabis farms for several years.
Prior to running his two shops he had used several other establishments including a restaurant called Al Porto as a cover-up for his involvement in organised crime.
(Image: Hull Daily Mail / MEN Media)
But his empire was brought crashing down when police broke down the door of the unmarked Hull office the Albanian national had been using, which was guarded by several security locks, in June this year.
In doing so, law enforcement officials were also able to gain access to one of two flats where Ademi lived.
Police found six balls of cocaine, worth more than £5,000, wrapped in packaging with Ademi’s fingerprints on it and hidden in a toilet in the office.
They also seized weighing scales, a cash-counting machine and multiple phones.
(Image: Hull Live)
As part of a wider investigation police also visited an address in Selby thought to have been used in connection with Ademi’s drug operation.
Ten people were arrested in connection with the warrants executed during the raid and remain under investigation, but have not been named.
Around £60k in cash, several vehicles, counterfeit tobacco, two air weapons and financial documents were also uncovered and seized over the course of the entire investigation.
A Ford Transit van, also linked to the kingpin, was also searched, turning up lighting transformers, black sheeting, bags of compost, and extractor fans, which police suspect were to be used to grow cannabis on an industrial scale.
Phone data uncovered by police revealed messages Ademi had sent and received, in which instructions on how to grow and guard the cannabis plants were shared.
(Image: Hull Daily Mail / MEN Media)
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His employees referred to him in the messages as “boss”.
Speaking after his conviction, Detective Inspector Matt Grantham of Humberside Police said: “The outcome at court was the culmination of several months of intensive investigate work, as investigations like these can be lengthy and complex to ensure all lines of enquiry are fully explored and we secure our best chance of prosecution
“I am pleased we were able to build a strong case that resulted in Ademi taking responsibility for his actions and his involvement in this drugs gang.
“Organised crime groups cause significant harm to our communities as they remain persistent in their attempt to supply and distribute drugs in our area.
“However, I am confident that the action taken through this operation has helped disrupt this, making our streets safer.”
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