An Albanian drug dealer faces deportation having been jailed after he was caught by police on what he said was his first day delivering cocaine.
Judge Christine Henson sentenced Renato Mici, 25, to two years and six months after hearing that he was arrested by police officers acting on intelligence.
Dylan Bub, prosecuting, told Hove Crown Court that police stopped Mici in Preston Road, Brighton, at 11.15am on Tuesday 24 March.
He was driving a grey 2-litre Volvo V60 without a licence or insurance and said to be heading to an address in Argyle Road, Brighton.
On searching the car, they found cocaine said to be worth about £5,000 and, in the boot, hydroponic gear for growing cannabis plants.
Mr Bub said that Mici, who was previously of good character, had £565 in cash in his wallet.
The court was told that his phone had a photo of a deal sheet or delivery sheet containing names, addresses and other details such as the amount of drugs and their cost.
Mici pleaded guilty the next day at Brighton Magistrates’ Court to having cocaine with intent to supply and driving without a licence or insurance.
Naomi Bennett, defending, said: “He came to the UK in 2017 and applied to the Home Office for leave to remain in 2021 and that application was denied therefore he was here illegally.
“He tells me that he was only involved in this for one day. He previously worked in construction until the day that he was arrested and he needed money to send home to his family.
“His desire is to go back to Albania. He doesn’t intend to stay. He regrets what he did and wishes me to apologise on his behalf to the court.”
Court documents suggest that Mici had no fixed address and Judge Henson told him that, given the two-and-a-half-year sentence, he was likely to be eligible for deportation.
She ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and the hydroponic equipment, the forfeiture of the cash and deprivation of his mobile phone.
Crush the cars, the phones, any related bank accounts like wives and girlfriends take all the money, make them account for the origin of the money
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2002/29/contents
Yes Benjamin, taking everything away actually doesn’t happen very often only the visible assetts at the time of capture, a bit further investigation could take more away from them leaving less or nothing to re-start business as usual, which is what really happens with most of them, recidivist activities back on track.
“previously of good character”, Just means hadn’t been caught before
Do you believe in innocent until proven guilty, Jay?