A drug dealer has been jailed after hiding bags of cocaine behind a car air vent.

On December 22, 2022, Sali Igalliu was stopped by police officers in Commercial Road, Paddock Wood, after they flagged his car as potentially having no insurance.

After Igalliu was unable to tell officers where he was going, he was detained for a drug search.

A bag containing 11 street deals of cocaine was found hidden behind an air vent.

Officers also seized £360 in cash, as well as a phone which contained several postcodes and messages consistent with drugs supply.

He has since been linked to an organised crime group which uses text messages and postcodes to deliver cocaine.

During police interviews he denied dealing and said the drugs seized were for his own personal use.

Igalliu, formerly of Turner Road, Tonbridge, was charged with possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing criminal property, namely the cash seized.

The 21-year-old pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court, and was sentenced to two years and three months’ imprisonment on Thursday (February 29).

DC Nell Shortis of West Kent CID said: “Igalliu may consider himself unlucky, as he was able to later provide proof that the car had actually been insured.

“Regardless, this case demonstrates once again our commitment to tackling a small minority of drug dealers who target our communities.

“Our use of both uniformed and plain clothes officers continues to make it very hard for criminals to operate for any length of time and there will be no let-up in our determination to keep these people off our streets and ultimately get the punishment they deserve.”