Jail for cannabis dealer who laundered drug money

A drug dealer has been put behind bars following a lengthy investigation into his crimes, which included using his legitimate car wash business to launder drug money. His associate has also been given a suspended sentence.

Adrian Lugjaj, 31 (DOB 03/10/93), from Ashford, pleaded guilty to four charges including two counts of possession with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of drugs and money laundering.

Giampiero Cerma, 28 (DOB 09/09/96), from Sunbury-on-Thames, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply.

Lugjaj was stopped in his car in May 2022, alongside a male passenger and a search revealed a large quantity of cannabis, scales, cash and a list of dealers in the vehicle. More cash was later found at his home address.

Messages on Lugjaj’s phone indicated he was using his legitimate car wash business to funnel the money he made from drug dealing.

His associate, Cerma, was also later found to be in possession of large quantities of cash, as well as a food delivery bag found in the footwell of his car containing multiple deal bags of herbal cannabis.

A combined value of £6,844 in cash was seized from the vehicle stops.

During further searches of their home addresses, officers discovered more cash found in Lugjaj’s property and a large quantity of cannabis found at Cerma’s address. The latter was later stopped in a vehicle, alongside another man, and a large quantity of cannabis was found in a rucksack.

On arrest, Lugjaj denied any involvement in these offences, however, later pleaded guilty at court, along with Cerma.

During the investigation, officers conducted financial enquiries into personal bank accounts and the car wash business account held by Lugjaj. These revealed a total of £250,708 had been deposited and withdrawn from Lugjaj’s accounts during the offence period. However, the earnings declared by Lugjaj to HM Customs and Revenue didn’t reflect the sum transferred through his bank accounts.

On 23 May at Guildford Crown Court, Lugjaj was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for money laundering, and two years for each of the drug offences, to be served concurrently.

Cerma was given three concurrent two-month sentences for the drugs charges against him, suspended for 18 months.

PC Rachael Jordan, from our Proactive Investigation Team, said: “This was a long and complex investigation and involved different teams across our Force coming together and working collaboratively. Thanks to the efforts of those teams, including our response officers and financial investigation team, drugs have been removed from our communities and the criminals involved are facing punishment.”

Spelthorne Borough Commander, Inspector Matt Walton, added: “Drugs wreck communities and contribute to an increase in other offences linked to violence and even fatalities. Taking drugs off our streets is just the start, we must work together to tackle concerns around drug use and detain those who offend. It will continue to be a priority for us, to keep our communities safe.”