A significant drug-dealing gang that used an estate agent as a front has been sentenced to jail. The gang was led by Jeremy Southgate, who purchased various properties in Hull and built cannabis-growing factories within them. Southgate drafted up fake tenancy agreements and even started a shop on Newland Avenue complete with counterfeit property advertisements, all in an effort to hide the drug operation.
The investigation began when a search at a property owned by Southgate located £74,000 worth of cannabis plants. The authorities then launched a surveillance operation on the estate agency. Following 15 raids across the city, thousands of cannabis plants and growing equipment, plus a significant amount of cash, were found. Observers estimated that the drug trafficking enterprise earned roughly £11.4m annually.
Southgate had acquired government grants to incorporate insulation into each building in order to hide the illegal operation from detection. Additionally, it was discovered that Southgate’s factories were manned by illegal immigrants from Albania.
Southgate, who was convicted of fraud by false representation, money laundering, conspiracy to produce Class B drugs, and other offenses, was sentenced to 11 years in prison, while Florjan Kasaj, who was found guilty of conspiracy to produce Class B drugs, was sentenced to seven years. A further 10 related individuals were charged with drug-related offenses and sentenced
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More