Five people have been jailed in the UK after police uncovered a sophisticated criminal network producing cannabis on an industrial scale in the West Yorkshire region, with a total value reaching nearly 4 million pounds.
According to West Yorkshire Police, the group was led by 44-year-old Selman Hysa and operated between October 2024 and April 2025 through several clandestine cannabis laboratories in commercial and residential premises in Wakefield and Huddersfield.
Investigators discovered five different cannabis farms during a series of coordinated operations. The labs were located on Alverthorpe Road in Wakefield, Newgate House in Pontefract, Wakefield Commercial Park in Horbury, Beckbridge Industrial Estate in Normanton and the former Moldgreen Top Club building in Huddersfield.
Police estimated the market value of the quantity of cannabis seized to be £3,933,135.
According to the investigation, Selman Hysa's nephews, Armand Hysa and Klevis Hysa, as well as Kosta Dumani and Admir Cerpja, were also part of the network. All five pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis.
Selman Hysa also pleaded guilty to money laundering charges, while Armand Hysa was also found guilty of possession of cannabis with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, and money laundering.
The following sentences were handed down at Leeds Crown Court:
* Selman Hysa, 44 years old – 6 years and 6 months in prison
* Armand Hysa, 24 years old – 5 years and 3 months in prison
* Klevis Hysa, 29 years old – 4 years and 6 months in prison
* Kosta Dumani, 42 years old – 4 years in prison
* Admir Cerpja, 43 years old – 3 years and 11 months in prison
Meanwhile, a sixth, Klodian Bofja, 26, was sentenced to 16 months in prison for cannabis production in connection with one of the discovered laboratories.
Detective Karl Heath described the investigation as highly complex and said police had targeted the leaders of the criminal organisation, not just the people working inside the laboratories.
British authorities have warned that industrial cannabis farms pose a serious risk to communities, due to links to money laundering, drug trafficking, violence and illegal manipulation of the electricity grid that can cause fires.
