A MAN who was involved in a major operation to supply drugs across Dorset has been jailed – eight years after he fled the country to evade justice.

47-year old Daut Lulzim Danaj, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of conspiring to supply a class A and class B controlled drug following a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court on September 25.

An investigation was launched in March 2016 to disrupt a group who were heavily involved in an organised crime network that was controlling a number of other individuals to orchestrate the distribution of high purity cocaine and cannabis between January 2016 and January 2017.

The investigation, carried out by Dorset Police’s Serious Organised Crime Team, focussed on a group that was suspected of supplying large quantities of class A and class B drugs across the county.

As a result, six men were jailed for more than 32 years in total in August 2018 for offences including conspiring to supply class A and class B drugs.

A seventh man was jailed for nine years for the part he played in the operation conspiring to supply class A drugs in May 2021.

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During the course of the operation just under four kilograms of high purity cocaine was recovered along with more than three kilograms of cannabis.

Additionally, dealer lists seized during the operation from the organised crime group showed significant sums of money totalling just over £600,000.

Evidence gathered showed that Danaj was operating as a wholesaler for the drugs.

In September 2016, he was interviewed in connection with the operation, but subsequently fled the country.

He has been wanted since 2017 and following determined efforts to locate him, Danaj was arrested in Essex on February 3 2025 after attempting to enter the country from the Netherlands.

He was sentenced at the same court on October 17 to seven years in prison.

Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Halford, of Dorset Police, said: “Danaj fled the country in a bid to try and evade justice, but we have continued to pursue him since 2017 and he is now facing justice for his actions.

“We will relentlessly pursue anyone who tries to escape the justice system and will never give up on making sure that they are held accountable for their offending.

“Those involved in this case were part of a major drug supply operation that was generating a significant large income.

“Dorset is no place for drugs – we will continue to take action against illegal drug taking and the sale of drugs.

“Anyone with information about drug related activity in their area can report it online or by calling 101.”