A car stop led officers to uncover £30,000 worth of cocaine and put two drug dealers behind bars.
Nottinghamshire Police knife crime team was out on patrol when intelligence came in about a vehicle with links to drug dealing.
Marios Mecani, 24, was pulled over on 18 April on Derby Road, Radford.
During a search of the car, officers discovered deal bags full of cocaine shoved down the back of the front passenger seat alongside keys to a property.
Police said:
‘A further search of Mecani’s address on Alfreton Road, Radford, led to £30,000 worth of cocaine, £20,000 in cash, and large quantities of deal bags being recovered.
Xhanluka Duraj, 20, was also suspected to be involved in the operation, with officers’ suspicions confirmed after they found his ID card and documentation at the Alfreton Road property.
The next day, on 19 April, reports came in of unknown men entering a student property, and on arrival, Duraj tried to flee the scene.
Following a pursuit, he was detained and searched by police where bundles of cash and a phone he attempted to destroy were seized.
Appearing in Nottingham Crown Court on Monday 11 August, Duraj, of no fixed address, was sentenced to three years and six months after being found guilty of possession with the intent to supply cocaine and possession of criminal property.
Mecani, of no fixed address, was also found guilty of possession with the intent to supply the Class A drug and possession of criminal property, and was jailed for three years and six months.
Detective Constable Malachi Keane, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
“Mecani and Durag were clearly involved in a significant drug dealing operation and were caught red-handed with thousands of pounds worth of cocaine, a significant amount of cash and drug paraphernalia all tied to them.
“Drugs can ruin the lives of very vulnerable people, with those involved in the growing and distribution often subjected to dire conditions, and others who want to feed their habits involved in acquisitive crime.
“Anyone found to be involved in their supply can expect a robust response from the force.”
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