£1.5m cannabis grow uncovered by Operation Silent

Norfolk Police held a number of action days in April to tackle organised immigration crime.

Organised immigration crime involves offences which exploit vulnerable migrants, bringing them to the UK illegally. It is often linked with drug trafficking and distribution, modern slavery and human trafficking.

The team deployed in Norwich and Thetford across four action days, as a part of Operation Silent, intercepting vehicles being used for commercial purposes such as food and parcel deliveries. This included electric bikes, mopeds and vans.

In total, 11 arrests were made for offences including working illegally in the UK and illegally overstaying.

Three of these arrests related to a large cannabis grow discovered in Suffolk. As a part of the operation, officers stopped a van on the A11 at Thetford. The rear of the van contained grow equipment and materials used for the cultivation of cannabis. Both the driver and the passenger were arrested. Further enquiries led officers to an address in Kessingland, Suffolk where they found approximately 600 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £1.5m. A third man who was present at the address was also arrested.

Three men were charged with being concerned in the production of a class B drug, namely cannabis. Two men, Ndue Hasani, aged 29 and of no fixed address and Ronaldo Lulashi, aged 26 and of Alma Street Luton, appeared in Ipswich Crown Court on 26 May and pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of a class B drug. The third man, Brusli Leka, aged 28 and of Keogh Road, London appeared today (8 June 2026) and also pleaded guilty. They are all due to be sentenced on 26 June 2026.

15 illegally modified e-bikes were seized in Norwich during the operation, as well as 10 other vehicles due to having no insurance or valid licence.

Lead officer PC Chris Leah, from the Commercial Vehicle Unit, said: “Initiatives like this are vital in tackling unlawful employment practices within the delivery sector.

“Our continued cross-border collaboration with neighbouring forces, including Suffolk Police, is essential in protecting vulnerable people from modern slavery and disrupting the organised criminal groups responsible for it.

“Individuals working illegally—particularly in the food delivery industry—are often at risk of exploitation, with some groups exerting control over work accounts and identity documents.

“Operation Silent continues to disrupt organised immigration crime across our road network. We remain committed to conducting further activity across the county and taking firm action against those involved in organised immigration crime.”

Anyone can be a target for modern slavery. But some people can be at more risk because of money, social or health issues, or because of their age or immigration status. You can read more here.

If you think modern slavery is happening, tell someone as soon as you think it’s safe to. This could be about a victim, a suspect, or a particular business or place. You will always be taken seriously, and protection and support is available.

You can report modern slavery to us using our online crime reporting service.