By Gavin Mackintosh-
A family of drug dealers, operating in the heart of Peterborough, was apprehended in 2020 after a meticulous investigation that spanned several years.
The Mucaj family, including Xhejni Mucaj, 31, his wife Christiana Sopikou, 25,(pictured) his father Bahri Mucaj, and his sister Sabina Mucaj, were found to have amassed luxury items worth more than £1 million, as authorities unearthed their extensive drug business that brought in hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The Mucaj family’s illicit operation was exposed when one of their “runners” was intercepted in 2020 with a substantial haul of seven bags of cannabis and 39 bags of cocaine while driving on the A47 in the city.
This bust set in motion an extensive investigation that ultimately dismantled their nefarious network.
Authorities wasted no time in confiscating the Mucaj family’s ill-gotten gains, which included Rolex watches, high-end jewelry, and even luxury vehicles.
Xhejni Mucaj had two Rolex watches, each valued at £11,000, along with a Rolex watch strap worth £700, and a personal number plate valued at £4,000.
Additionally, he was found with more than £53,000 in cash and £20,000 in his bank account.
Christiana Sopikou, Xhejni Mucaj’s wife, was not exempt from the investigation either. She possessed luxury items exceeding £19,000 in value, which included Chanel earrings, a Louis Vuitton handbag, and a Mercedes.
Authorities also uncovered a bank account used by the Mucaj family, with nearly £250,000 in turnover between December 2018 and February 2021, with £200,000 attributed to drug-related payments.
In March 2021, the family’s criminal empire came crashing down when Xhejni Mucaj, his wife Christiana Sopikou, and his sister Sabina were arrested at their residence in Hartley Avenue, Fengate. Simultaneously, Xhejni’s father, Bahri Mucaj, was apprehended in a flat on Viersen Platz. This arrest yielded a staggering £50,000 in cash and up to £50,000 worth of cocaine.
In a court of law, while the husband and wife admitted their crimes, Sabina and Bahri Mucaj staunchly denied their involvement. However, the evidence against them was compelling, leading to their conviction in a trial at Peterborough Crown Court in November 2021. As a result, all four family members have been sentenced to at least six years in prison.
Detective Constable Andy Macdonald of Cambridgeshire Police commended the investigation, stating, “This was a long and complex investigation to uncover the Mucaj family’s criminal business, which turned over a lot of money in a short period of time.
Through many, many hours of investigation, we managed to take out a significant drugs line in Peterborough and put those behind it in prison for a considerable amount of time, as well as stripping them of their financial gains.”
Not only were the Mucaj family brought to justice, but they were also ordered to pay back more than £100,000 from the profits of their illicit activities.