Five charged on conspiracy to supply ‘Cali Weed’

Five people have been charged with conspiring to supply cannabis and money laundering, following raids carried out across west London by the City of London Police.

Warrants on 18 September were conducted by City of London Police’s Serious Organised Crime Team. This was part of an operation looking into the importation of large quantities of cannabis known as ‘Cali Weed’. Officers seized drugs, cash, gold and other evidence, including cannabis packaging equipment. 

Those charged are:

• Rikesh Shah, 32, of Bute Close, Edgware;
• Tejpal Vig, 35, of Newtown Road, Uxbridge;
• Akikur Rahman, 46, of Long Lane, Uxbridge;
• Sudarsan Pillai, 27 of Clairvale Road, Hounslow; and
• Hariharan Pillai, 25, of Clairvale Road, Hounslow.

The five charged are in addition to three people arrested and charged in April.

Detective Constable Jessica Perkins, City of London Police said:

“Drugs in London severely impact our communities, drive violence and organised crime and can lead to vulnerable people being exploited. City of London Police is committed to bringing organised crime groups to justice and making our streets safer.”

All five appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday 20 September and were remanded in custody until a hearing at Inner London Crown Court on 18 October 2024.