Four Albanians have been convicted and jailed for drug Trafficking On the East sussex coast after authorities managed to dismantle their network.
Jonid Cufaj, Julian Cufaj and Urim Peraj ran a cocaine trafficking ring called “Tony” which supplied the East Coast with drugs from Essex. Following an extensive investigation, authorities issued arrest warrants and proceeded to arrest them. Now, following their trial, they have been convicted of participating in the trafficking of Class A drugs.
Their sentencing was announced on January 31 at Lewes Crown Court.
East Coast District Constable Di Lewis said: “It was a major investigation which revealed how the group had been supplying Class A drugs to the East Coast for more than a year. Officers are determined to disrupt the supply of drugs that are causing so much harm to our community and to tackle the crimes and activities associated with drug trafficking across county lines.".
The court heard that Jonid Cufaj, a 25-year-old labourer from London, effectively led the group, while his younger brother Julian Cufaj, a 22-year-old unemployed man from Havering, was also linked to the drug trafficking ring in Essex. They worked with Urim Peraj, an unemployed 25-year-old from the East Coast, who acted as a trafficker in the area.
Officers from The East Coast Crime service and The Community Investigation team gathered information as part Of Project adder to disrupt drug trafficking across county Lines following the arrest of a drug user on The East coast In february 2023.
The “Tony” line was revealed through mobile phone advertising messages informing customers about available drugs on the East Coast.
Working with colleagues from Essex Police, the Metropolitan Police as part of Operation Orochi and Sussex Police's Neighbourhood Enforcement Team, warrants were executed at four addresses.
The evidence showed how the Cufaj brothers were involved in organizing the supply and sale of Class A drugs together with Peraj. Drugs and mobile phones were seized during the investigation.
Jonid Cufaj was found guilty of participating in the supply of class A drugs between 1 January 2022 and 7 February 2023. On 31 January at Lewes Crown Court he was sentenced to six and a half years in prison.
Julian Cufaj was found guilty of the same offence, as well as of participating in the supply of cocaine from 25 November 2022 to 8 February 2022, and of participating in the supply of cannabis during the same period. He was sentenced to a total of five and a half years in prison.
Urim Peraj was found guilty of participating in the supply of cocaine during the same period. He was sentenced to five years in prison.
A fourth man, Arben Vukaj, 39, from Barking, was found not guilty of being involved in the supply of cocaine. He was found guilty of possession of cannabis and possession of a weapon to project a liquid causing harm – namely pepper spray.
