Two Albanian citizens, a couple, have been sentenced to prison in the United Kingdom after British authorities discovered around 9 kilograms of cannabis and £51,450 in cash hidden in various places in their Birmingham apartment.
Kristian Lleshi, 35, was sentenced to two years and two months in prison, while Xhulijana Trimi, 29, was sentenced to 18 months in prison by Birmingham Crown Court.
Both have previously pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply and to offences related to money laundering.
According to the NCA, to which Top Channel refers, their arrest took place in September last year at a flat in the Shenley Green area of Birmingham, following an operation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
During the search, investigators found seven kilograms of vacuum-packed cannabis in the attic, as well as another two kilograms on the stairs of the building.
More than £51,000 in cash was also seized from the flat, hidden in various places, including a wallet, bags, bedside tables, a container of protein supplements, cupboards and under a bed. Authorities also confiscated high-value items such as gold jewellery, handbags and luxury shoes.
During the investigation, Trimi claimed she had no knowledge of the drugs and money, stating that she had only known Lleshi for three months and that she was not in a relationship with him. She also said that she had purchased the luxury items second-hand on online platforms such as eBay and Vinted.
However, investigators uncovered evidence that contradicted her claims. Social media posts indicated that the couple had been in a relationship since at least 2023, while receipts found proved that some of the seized items had been purchased directly with cash from luxury stores.
The NCA operation also led to the discovery of a cannabis farm in Dudley, where plants worth an estimated £78,000 were destroyed. Investigations into this case are ongoing.
According to NCA branch commander Saju Sasikumar, Trimi’s claims were “completely unbelievable”, while investigations showed that both convicts were aware of the drugs and money and had an active role in the criminal activity.