Cleveland Police assure Hartlepool residents after shotgun killing by organised criminals

Three members of an Albanian crime gang, Noza Saffari, 39, Qazim Marku, 25, and Dorian Pirija, 33, were jailed for 53 years for the manslaughter of a rival cannabis dealer in Hartlepool.

Mr Hussein, 30, was shot dead inside a house in Charterhouse Street in September 2019.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Robinson, who led the investigation, welcomed the sentences and said she hopes it will bring some closure to Mr Hussein’s devastated family.

The case remains open and police want to trace four suspects who remain at large.

Det Chief Insp Robinson said: “This incident will have no doubt shocked the local community and instilled fear in some people.

"This incident was like no other that I have seen in Hartlepool and no other I have seen as a police officer.

"This was an isolated incident and I would like to reassure the people of Hartlepool that these incidents are rare and the investigation itself has not yet concluded.

“The team has worked tirelessly to bring three people to justice today, and we will continue with the ongoing investigation into four men who remain wanted in connection with Mr Hussein’s death.”

Police used a combination of CCTV, phone records, vehicle movements and forensics to painstakingly piece together the events leading up to and after Mr Hussein’s death.

Det Cons Inps Robinson added: “This was a challenging investigation. I am very grateful to my team for their tenacity, dedication and professionalism.”

Anyone who has any information in relation to the whereabouts of the wanted men should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.