An Albanian gang was busted after police swooped on a car and uncovered stashes of drugs hidden in undergrowth during a covert operation in Wiltshire.
Wiltshire 999s journalist Daniel Jae Webb was on scene when plain-clothed officers in unmarked vehicles swarmed a Nissan Qashqai in a lane near Giddeahall back in June.
Two men were arrested as police searched the area just west of Chippenham – uncovering hidden drug stashes and gathering evidence as part of a major investigation into cocaine supply.
At the time, Wiltshire Police asked Wiltshire 999s to delay publication to avoid compromising ongoing covert enquiries. The request was respected, with photographs and details of the operation withheld until today.
Following court proceedings earlier this week exclusive images from the scene, which formed part of a wider investigation into an organised crime group, can be published.
In total three members of the drugs gang have pleaded guilty to a series of offences at Swindon Crown Court.
Hysen Sopiku, 21, formerly of Newport Street in Old Town, Swindon, admitted being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, possession of criminal property and possession with intent to supply cocaine.
He also pleaded guilty to possessing an article for use in fraud, two counts of driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance.
Alvaro Vrapi, 18, of no fixed address, admitted being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and possessing false identity documents with improper intent.
Daniela Sopiku, 26, also formerly of Newport Street, had previously admitted possessing false identity documents with improper intent.
During proceedings at Swindon Crown Court this week, she also pleaded guilty to the acquisition and use of criminal property.
The investigation involved covert policing tactics over an extended period, uncovering cocaine supply operations across towns in Wiltshire during 2025 and 2026.
Police subsequently discovered drug caches worth more than £11,000 at locations Hysen Sopiku and Vrapi had visited that day in Biddestone and Giddeahall, near Chippenham.
Daniela Sopiku was arrested in Old Town, Swindon, later the same day.
Further searches uncovered drug paraphernalia, large quantities of cash, expensive designer goods and fraudulent identity documents.
Among the items recovered was a fake Italian passport bearing Daniela Sopiku’s name, which immigration authorities confirmed was fraudulent.
Investigators also established that Vrapi had used false documents to open bank accounts connected to criminal activity.
Further financial enquiries revealed the three had received more than £53,000 in unexplained income.
According to Wiltshire Police, all three were living in the UK illegally and had no legitimate source of income.
Detective Constable Jordan Gratton said: “This organised crime group was responsible for supplying cocaine across communities in Wiltshire and sought to conceal its criminal activity through the use of fraudulent identity documents and illicitly obtained funds.
“Through a lengthy and proactive investigation using a range of covert tactics, officers were able to gather compelling evidence of the group’s offending and disrupt the harm they were causing.
“Today’s result demonstrates our commitment to targeting organised criminality, bringing offenders before the courts and protecting our communities from the devastating impact of illegal drugs.”
All three defendants are due to be sentenced on Wednesday 18 November.ovember.
