County lines gang sentenced over roles in ‘sophisticated’ cannabis supply network
‘SOPHISTICATED’: Members of an organised crime group sentenced for their involvement in supplying cannabis. Picture credit: Humberside Police
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Five members of an organised crime group involved in supplying cannabis in bulk across Hull and East Yorkshire have been sentenced following a complex investigation by Humberside Police.
Appearing at Hull Crown Court on Friday, July 17, Armir Metaj, 30, of Roscoe Street in Middlesbrough, was jailed for five years and four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class B cannabis at an earlier hearing. He was found not guilty of conspiracy to supply class A cocaine after a trial at Grimsby Crown Court.
Patryk Gilwanowski, 33, of Wordsworth Street, Hull, Endri Arifaj, 35, of no fixed abode, and Gazmir Hameti, 45, Richmond Road, Hessle, each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class B cannabis at an earlier hearing. Gilwanowski was jailed for two and a half years, Arifaj was jailed for one year and eight months, and Hameti was jailed for one year and seven months.
Manuela Metaj, 33, of Begonia Way, Rugby, was found guilty of possession of criminal property following a nine-day trial at Grimsby Crown Court. She was given an 18-month sentence suspended for a year. Metaj was found not guilty of conspiracy to supply class B cannabis.
The investigation began in February 2025 after officers from the force’s Kinetic Organised Crime Group Team identified a county lines network operating across Hull and the East Riding.
As enquiries progressed, detectives uncovered a “sophisticated operation” involving the use of encrypted messaging platforms, false vehicle insurance policies and coordinated travel across multiple areas including London, Rugby, Sheffield and Middlesbrough. Analysis showed the drugs line operated daily between 11am and 11pm, with activity largely directed from outside the force area.
Evidence gathered throughout the investigation demonstrated that Armir Metaj played a leading role in the operation, controlling the drugs line and directing others to distribute drugs. Communications data, CCTV and financial enquiries linked him to the management of the network, including topping up the line and coordinating movement between associates.
On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, officers executed eight coordinated warrants at addresses in Hull, Hessle, Doncaster, Middlesbrough and Rugby. Armir Metaj was arrested at the address in Middlesborough, where officers recovered mobile devices linked to the drugs line, along with cash believed to be proceeds of drug supply.
LEADING ROLE: Armir Metaj. Picture credit: Humberside Police
At an address in Rugby, Manuela Metaj was located and arrested. During the search, officers located and seized £129,010 in cash believed to be linked to drug supply activity, supporting evidence of her involvement in handling criminal property as part of the operation.
At Richmond Road, Hessle, Endri Arifaj and Gazmir Hameti were arrested inside what is believed to have been a stash address. Officers recovered significant quantities of class B cannabis worth over £25,000, along with £6,095 in criminal cash, mobile phones, two vehicles and items associated with the storage and supply of drugs. Both men were identified as operating at street level within the wider network.
Further enquiries led to the arrest of Patryk Gilwanowski on Friday October 24, 2025, at his home in Wordsworth Street, Hull. A search of the property uncovered documentation linking him to a second address in Edgton Street, Hull. A subsequent search of that property resulted in officers locating two large bags of cannabis with an estimated street value of £20,000, further proof of his role in the supply chain.
The coordinated operation involved multiple specialist teams and partner agencies, including the Kinetic Intervention Team, Neighbourhood Crime Team, Integrated Offender Management Team, Neighbourhood Policing Team, Dog Section and Roads Policing, alongside British Transport Police, the Regional Organised Crime Unit, North East Regional Organised Crime Unit and Warwickshire Police.
Police Constable Claire Dobson, officer in the case, said: “This was a significant investigation into an organised crime group operating well beyond the Humberside area, exploiting county lines to distribute cannabis into our communities.
“Armir Metaj was at the centre of this network, directing activity and coordinating the movement of drugs, money and individuals across multiple regions. Beneath him sat a network of individuals carrying out specific roles, from managing stash locations to supplying drugs at street level – all contributing to the wider criminal network.
“The group took deliberate steps to evade detection, including the use of encrypted communications, frequent travel and vehicles linked to false insurance policies. However, through detailed analysis of communications data, financial investigation and coordinated enforcement activity, we were able to build a clear picture of their operation and bring those responsible before the courts.
“The warrants carried out in October were the culmination of months of work and highlight the strength of partnership working across multiple teams and forces.
“We know the impact that drug supply and organised crime have on our communities, from exploitation and violence to the wider harm it brings. Dismantling these networks remains a priority, and we will continue to pursue those involved relentlessly.”