They had paid him a visit on a completely unrelated matter
Drug dealer Eris Gjeci, who was jailed at Hull Crown Court(Image: Humberside Police)
Police found telltale cocaine supply messages on a mobile phone – and a £220 pile of money – after searching a street dealer’s home. He quickly tried to talk his way out of trouble by claiming that it was hard-earned cash from work that he had done.
But the police soon realised that, in reality, he was “selling directly” to drug users, Hull Crown Court heard. Eris Gjeci, 36, of Beverley Road, Hull, but recently in custody on remand, admitted being concerned in supplying cocaine between July 10 and 15, 2023.
Ben Hammersley, prosecuting, said that police went to Gjeci’s then home in Hessle Road, west Hull, on unrelated matters and carried out a full search of the property. Drugs, drug equipment and weapons were discovered.
Four mobile phones were found and Gjeci provided the security numbers for two of these. One of the phones had drug-related messages on it, covering a few weeks in 2023.
The user of the phone was concerned in supplying cocaine and was being directed by two other people to meet cocaine supply customers. A wage was being paid for carrying out this job.
During police interview, Gjeci made mainly no comment to all questions but he admitted that there were drug messages. He claimed that £220 cash found was legitimate earnings from work that he had done.
Connor Stuart, mitigating, said that Gjeci was an Albanian asylum seeker who arrived in this country with limited work opportunities and stability. Such people were often vulnerable to exploitation, particularly with the street supply of drugs.
“He was operating under direction,” said Mr Stuart. Gjeci played a lesser role and he had no previous convictions. He was helped in court by an Albanian-speaking interpreter.
Judge Tahir Khan KC told Gjeci: “Class A dealing is a serious crime and custodial sentences must be imposed. You were selling directly to users.”
Gjeci was jailed for two years and three months. The £220 cash seized will be forfeited and given to the St Paul’s boxing club charity. Gjeci will have to pay a £228 victims’ surcharge.
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