Two men were given sentences adding up to 15 years last week for drug offences.

Gentjan Kaloti, 44, and William Hunter, 52, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday (October 20) where they were sentenced for their roles in the same conspiracy which saw cocaine dealer David Borley put behind bars for almost 20 years earlier this month.

The pair were initially captured as part of a specialist operation which saw law enforcement infiltrate encrypted devices and uncover evidence of large-scale drug supply across the North East.

As part of Northumbria Police's case against Borley and his associates in Spring 2020, they uncovered messages sent from Kaloti’s device, in which he referred to himself as ‘Alboss’ – the head of an Albanian crime group.  

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The Northern Echo: The Northern Echo: Detective Chief Inspector Marc Michael of Northumbria Police’s Crime Department said: “Organised crime affects our communities in many ways and none of them are for the better. It is only right we keep bringing people like Kaloti and Wood before the courts and I am pleased with today’s sentences.                              

“We know that illegal drugs can harm people in a number of different ways, and the groups who sell them can bring violence, antisocial behaviour, and other types of criminality into our neighbourhoods which is why we are determined to put an end to it.

“Cannabis farms are hazardous and put people at risk with their bypassed electricity and chemical storage, not to mention the wider associated criminality of exploitation and slavery which goes on behind the scenes.

“As part of Operation Sentinel, we will continue our clampdown on organised crime and ask our communities to work with us by reporting suspicious activity to us and sharing their concerns.”

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The Northern Echo:

The investigation uncovered a network of couriers, including Hunter, who was found to have provided transport which delivered shipments of cocaine and stored £20,000 cash at his home.

Northumbria Police established Kaloti had helped supply Borley’s associates with 45kgs of cannabis. 

An amount of £169,000 was recovered following searches of an address on Kitchener Street, Gateshead.

A number of vehicles destined for the West Midlands were also found.

Messages would later reveal that Kaloti had co-ordinated the operation and knew of the police strike.

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The Northern Echo:

Kaloti and Hunter were later arrested and charged, and both appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where they both pleaded guilty to drugs offences.

On Friday (October 20), Kaloti of Brettanby Road in Felling, previously admitted conspiring to supply Cannabis and was sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

Meanwhile, William Hunter of Westgate Road, Newcastle, previously admitted to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was sentenced to eight years and one month imprisonment.